A VILLAGE chippy was celebrating today after clinching a top quality award from the chip shop gurus.

Thompson's Traditional Fish & Chips, in Main Street, Stamford Bridge, was handed the Friers Quality Award by the fish industry authority, Seafish.

It follows a meticulous inspection of the chippy by Seafish watchdogs, who carried out about 200 separate checks, covering all aspects of the business, including 40 temperature checks.

Seafish inspectors today made a presentation to the shop, in which a certificate and logo were handed over.

Manager Neil Swales, who runs the ten-year-old business with his sister Gillian, said he was "delighted" to pass the test.

"It was a bit gruelling, really, when they were doing the inspection," he added.

"It was like an exam.

"But it really makes a difference to get an award like this; it gives a bit of a boost to a little village chip shop like ours."

The award completes a hat-trick for the chippy, which last year won accolades with the Yorkshire area Good Food Guide, and this year scooped a Mllennium award from the Hotel and Restaurant Catering Academy.

The restaurant is also hoping to progress into the next round of the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year competition, also run by Seafish.

Eleanor Nicholls, Seafish Quality Assurance Advisor, said: "Only fish and chip shops which meet our requirements will get the award, but I'm pleased to say that Thompson's certainly demonstrated very high standards and, of course, great fish and chips!"

Seafish inspectors will make future spot checks to make sure the high standards are being maintained.

Neil added: "It's the first time we've applied to be considered for the award, so to win it first time is something special.

"If anything, I'd say the secret of success is consistency."

Updated: 12:20 Wednesday, July 25, 2001