Three Kentfish and chip shops have been named among the best in the UK.

The outlets have all been listed as finalists for Takeaway of the Year in the National Fish and Chip Awards.

A total of 40 chippies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been selected to progress to the next rounds of the contest to find the best of the best.

The Kent trio dominated the ‘Kent, London and Surrey’ regional category – which has a shortlist of five.

The Kent restaurants which have impressed the panel of industry judges are Newington Fish Bar in Ramsgate, Sandy’s Fish and Chip Shop in Folkestone, and Lewis’s Fish and Grill in Maidstone.

All will now be subject to further visits by judges.

Andrew Crook, president at the National Federation of Fish Friers, organiser of the awards – now in its 36th year - said: “The calibre of entries for the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024 have been nothing short of fantastic and we are proud of all the eateries that clearly put in huge amounts of effort to be considered for the accolade.

“Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year is a notoriously difficult category to stand out in, but the panel of experts had many tough decisions to make.

“However, we’ve selected an exceptional shortlist that showcases the unwavering passion, dedication and excitement that the fish and chip industry brings to British culture.”

The 40 finalists will now be whittled down in further rounds, before the category winner is announced at the awards ceremony on February 28 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.