Two fish and chip shops in St Albans and Harpenden are set to ‘batter’ it out over the summer in a bid to win a coveted national award.

The Ridgeway Fish Bar in St Albans and Godfrey’s in Harpenden will be visited  by industry experts posing as customers over the next few weeks, as part of the 2016 National Fish & Chip Awards.

If they win the judges’ votes, the takeaways will join a UK regional top 10 and get the chance to bag the ultimate national title, Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year.

Luke Godfrey, owner of Godfrey’s, said: “It’s brilliant to have been shortlisted and it’s our third year in a row now.

“It’s nice to have the recognition for all our staff’s hard work.

“For us, it’s just all about the quality of the fish and chips. We do the best we can and be as sustainable as we can.”

Daniel Kumi, owner of The Ridgeway Fish Bar, said: “It’s a great achievement to realise your hard work and dedication has paid off.

“We are a very close-knit, family orientated, business. We know 90 per cent of our customers by their first names. We like to make a big impact.”

Paul Williams, of competition organisers Seafish, said: “The aim of the awards has always been to showcase the very best fish and chip businesses in the UK, while setting incredibly high standards for the industry to aspire to.

“The Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award is one of the highest honours to receive as a fish and chip business.

“Many of our past winners and finalists have gone on to reap substantial benefits, including international fame through industry trips overseas, increased shop footfall and turnover and even launching their own products.

“It’s great to see so many excellent shops through to this stage of the competition.”

The crowning of the country’s best fish and chip shop will take place at an awards ceremony in London in January.