With entries for the National Fish and Chip Awards 2025 "o-fish-ially" open, Worcester News readers have been debating their favourite chippy in the city.

The awards, now in its 37th year, has begun its campaign to find the best takeaways and restaurants in the UK and overseas.

Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), with Seafood from Norway as its principal sponsor, the awards have 13 categories, including Takeaway of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year.

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With over 10,000 British chip shops eligible for entry in addition to some international counterparts, competition is expected to be fierce.

Andrew Crook, president of the NFFF, says: “What a year for fish and chips - surveys have shown that fish and chips is once again the nation’s favourite dish.

"National Fish and Chip Day tied in with the D-Day 80 celebrations last month to recognise the significant role this staple food played in keeping Britain fed and troops on the frontline that bit safer, using the phrase ‘fish and chips’ as a call and response method to ascertain if friend or foe was approaching.

"We want to showcase the diversity, entrepreneurship and amazing food coming from UK towns and cities and beyond, but we can only do this if businesses enter.

"While this is a trade award, the public is at the heart of what we do as foodservice operators, so we’d like to call on the help of customers and ask for people to encourage their favourite chip shop to take part.”

Among our readers, multiple nominations came to the surface on Facebook.

Neon Nans said: "Hooked or St John's Fish Bar both do tasty food, and both are extremely friendly, especially to people with learning disabilities."

A hoard of others also vouched for Hooked, which proved the most popular amongst readers.

Jeanette Harris recommended Rainbow Hill Chippy, while Anmarie Glisson prefers the aforementioned St John's Fish Bar.

Ahmed Hafeez Bhatti and Raym Mohammed both favour Mother Hubbard's, while Nick Hope commented: "Crispy Cod Pinkett Street, no question!"

The winners of each category will be revealed in a ceremony in London in February 2025.