A YOUNG Hagley fish and chip shop worker is a step closer to netting a top industry award.

James Houlston, of Our Plaice, Hagley, has made it into the top six in a search to crown the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year.

The 20-year-old, from Hagley, will now compete in the final of the competition, part of the 2015 National Fish and Chip Awards, which encourages young fish friers to nurture their skills and become positive role models for the industry.

To make it this far, finalists have already taken part in a gruelling judging process which saw the top ten contestants participating in a rigorous test day at the National Federation of Fish Friers Training School in Leeds where they were marked on preparation, fish and chip frying techniques and personal skills.

Mark Drummond, NFFF head of training school and lead judge of the award category, said: “We were so overwhelmed by the standards of the contestants - we have six extremely talented and determined finalists this year. A very hard decision lies ahead.”

Paul Williams, chief executive of Seafish which organises the awards, said: “The high level of skill coming through this award category continues to get stronger every year."

The young fish frier award was founded in 1995 by the directors of Halesowen based firm Drywite, Briar Wilkinson and Kelvin Lee, in memory of their late father Malcolm Lee who lived in Hagley.

Briar, sales director at Drywite Ltd, said Mr Lee, who started the catering products business in West Bromwich before moving it to Halesowen, "had a passion for encouraging young people to succeed" and she added: “He would be so proud of the high-standards that have been set due to this award. It is vital to support our next generation of fish and chip enthusiasts, our industry relies on their passion and dedication.

“I have every confidence the finalists will continue their journey to success in the industry.”

The shortlisted candidates will now receive a mystery judging visit at their workplaces, plus another skills and knowledge test in their working environment.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Lancaster London hotel on January 20.

Former Our Plaice employee Ian Allsop won the award back in 2008 and the Worcester Road chippy was named best fish and chip shop in the country in 2004/5.