AN award-winning Hagley chippy is frying high after being credited for doing its bit to preserve the world's oceans by selling sustainable fish.

Our Plaice in Worcester Road is only the second fish and chip shop in the West Midlands to be awarded the Marine Stewardship Council certification confirming its supplies are sourced sustainably.

The award means the shop can now use the MSC ‘blue tick’ label on its hake, haddock and cod - assuring customers the fish has been responsibly caught using sustainable methods.

Manager James Houlston said: "It’s really important to us that our customers know we’re an ethical business. We’ve always served responsibly sourced, sustainable fish . The MSC certification gives us recognition for this and helps us stand out from the rest."

To celebrate their success - the shop offered free sustainable fish goujons to customers on November 23 when the MSC's UK commercial manager George Clark stopped by to present the award.

He said: "We hope their success will encourage other chippies in the area to follow their lead and offer their customers a sustainable choice.”

Choosing MSC labelled seafood from fisheries, retailers, brands and restaurants guarantees sustainable, traceable fishing methods were used to catch the produce - helping to protect sea life for future generations.

Our Plaice, which has been open since 1969, is owned by Caroline Howard and husband Gregg - president of the National Federation of Fish Friers.

The organisation has trained fish and chip shop staff from Paris, Iceland and Japan on its premises and the team recently travelled to Tokyo to help launch Japan’s first authentic British fish and chip shop.

Fingers are being kept crossed for even more good news in January when manager James will find out if he has won the Young Fish Frier of the Year Awards - having been a finalist for three years running.