A MOBILE Cumbrian fish and chips van is 'over the moon' at the prospect of being named the best in UK at a leading industry awards ceremony. 

The Chippie Van, which serves 10 villages across Eden and south of Carlisle, has been named as a top five finalist, for the Mobile category, for the National Fish and Chip Awards 2023.

The Mobile category recognises fish and chip vans and trailers from around the UK, for their excellence in producing quality fish and chips from mobile units.

The Chippie Van, which is run by Angel Lane Chippie, will be competing against Pimp My Fish (Burwell), The Hungry Plaice (Holbeach), Jojo's Fish & Chips (Stafford) and Country Fried (Blackburn).

The Mobile category celebrates the businesses ingenuity and resourcefulness, judged by a panel of industry experts in order to finalise the top five.

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Owner Daniel Harding said: "We are over the moon to have reached the top five mobile operators in the UK.

"Being mobile we get in to the heart of communities that don’t have access to a takeaway and wouldn’t normally get to have fish and chips (our national dish).

"Now serving over 10 villages across Eden and south Carlisle we have grown a strong customer base of loyal chippie fans. We are thankful to everyone’s support and look forward to the finals in London next year," he said. 

The sponsor for the Mobile category is Kerry Foods, a leading supplier of chilled and frozen food products in the UK and Ireland, and part of the world-leading Kerry Group.

NFFF President Andrew Crook said: "Mobile vans and trailers provide a vital service in many rural areas and at weddings and other key life events.

"They often represent the industry with customers that may not regularly visit a fish and chip shop, so it is great to see these businesses producing amazing fish and chips and striving for excellence!”

The National Fish & Chip Awards are hosted by The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), on February 28 2023 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

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