A FISH bar has battered competition to be crowned one of the top 50 ‘plaices’ to dine in the country.

It is the second year running that Linthwaite’s Batter Sea fish bar has won the honour, which was announced by Fry Magazine.

Co-owner Luke Barr, who runs the shop with ex Labour Colne Valley parliamentary candidate Binnie Joshi Barr, said that they were ‘incredibly proud’ to have won the award, despite only breaking into the industry two years ago, beating 450 other hopefuls.

Luke, a former IT worker from London and Binnie, who was a policy assistant to an MP, gained a satisfaction score of 97% when a mystery shopper for the competition visited their takeaway.

They serve up gluten free fish and chips that are sourced sustainably and also offer menu choices for vegetarians and vegans.

Luke said: “It’s really great to be in the top 50 once again, especially because we’ve not been in the game for that long.

“I undertook an intensive frying course but for the first six month most learning occurred on the job, which was hard but it’s definitely paid off.

“We are proud of what we sell and think it’s important to try cater for as many people as possible because everyone has different tastes and needs.”

The fish shop will celebrate National Vegetarian Week on May 19 to 25.