FORMER Pendle councillor Roger Abbiss has had bigger fish to fry since leaving the local authority last year.

His energies have been focused on making an even greater success of his fish and chip shop in Nelson town centre.

Last year Roger, 44, and his Station Chippy manager Allan Monk netted the Sea Fish Industry Authority's Quality Award -- the only chippy in Nelson to win the accolade.

Now they are hoping for greater success as they enter the Authority's Fish And Chip Shop of the Year competition.

Customers are being invited to nominate Roger's place -- with a chance of winning free fish and chips for a year in a free draw.

If the chippy wins through to the regional finals, it could go on to the national final in London in November.

Roger said: "To compete with the best, you have to pay attention to detail and that is what we always strive to do.

"There are only 300 out of 8,000 fish and chip shops nationally to have gained the Quality Award and we are proud to be among the best."

Although the Station Chippy has diversified to offer such things as Halal burgers, its staple stock in trade is traditional fish and chips -- with fresh fish supplies being brought in from Fleetwood every day.

Another local shop in the competition is Les and Val Scott's Cemetery Chippy in Colne, which was highly commended in last year's contest.