The chips have fallen well for The Golden Fish chip shop in Dagenham as it receives an award for serving the best chips in the country.

The popular chippy in Becontree Avenue battered the competition – a whopping 900 shops – to secure its “plaice” at the top of the pile.

Sixty-eight thousand people voted nationally in the Potato Council’s Choice Chip Award, leaving The Golden Fish to collect its gong after nearly half a century of local service.

“We’re overwhelmed,” said Golden Fish manager Jason Aiken, 45. “That’s an understatement. “We’re completely blown away.

“My father-in-law, James Plows, started the shop 46 years ago. He and my mother-in-law, Evon, still work in the shop.

“We’ve always had a really good reputation locally.”

A chip off the old block, Jason took over the shop four years ago so his father-in-law could spend more time on the golf course.

“Being crowned the best chippy in Great Britain is a real honour, and we would like to say a huge thank you to our dedicated team of workers and of course, to our loyal customers who voted for us to win,” he added.

The coveted prize was hand-delivered by the Potato Council’s Kate Cox on Friday following its “Chip Week” to boost the potato industry.

She said: “We Brits feel strongly about supporting our local chippy, so it’s no surprise so many people took the time to vote for their favourite in the Choice Chip Awards this year.”

Jason and staff will celebrate their victory by offering free chips to anyone who attends the shop on February 23 – though under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

All profits for the day will go to local charities The Osborne Partnership, which helps young people with learning disabilities, and Step Up, which supports young victims of sexual abuse.