Owner Sam West took over the shop at Shay Lane, Holmfield, Halifax, three years ago and has been producing quality fish and chips ever since.

With a runner-up prize in 2001, and hitting the top spot last year and again this year, Mr West admits Holmfield Fisheries has its share of regular customers. "It's nice to have won again and it's great for business as it certainly makes a difference," he said.

"Last year we got new customers because of winning the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year and kept them

"They sampled our fish and chips and kept coming back for more. And we're hoping it will bring in more customers this year too."

But was he surprised to receive more than 200 votes?

He said: "Our regular customers nearly always fill in the voting slips. When there's a queue, which there often is, they see someone filling one in and then the next person does too.

Regular customer Jan Helliwell scooped a prize for nominating the shop. "She rang me when she found out she'd won and I told her I'd just had a phone call to say we'd won again too."

According to Mr West the secret of his success is to provide tasty fish and chips at value for money prices.