ONE of the town's most iconic fish and chip shop's is back open and ready to serve the town.

Latchford's Cantilever Chippy, on Wash Lane, has opened its doors again after nine months of being shut but is now ready to fry high.

The business remains in family hands, with 48-year-old Pantelis Petras taking the over the reins after leaving the sunny sights of Kos five months ago to take on the challenge.

But the town is not unfamiliar territory for the passionate cook.

After arriving in the country in 2000, he had stints executing his craft in Wigan, Warrington and Flint.

But after leaving in 2008 to the Greek island to take charge of a restaurant, a quest which had always been a dream for him, Pantelis admits something did not feel right.

"I had a restaurant and it was nice - cooking is something that I enjoyed doing and always have done," he said.

"I left England but I have to say I prefer it here - I love the rain and it was just too hot for me in Kos.

"The people here in Warrington are also fantastic to me, I have customers of all ages and it is great to see them.

"I think the best thing about the job is seeing people come in and serving them with the food that they want."

As well as his love for the somewhat gloomy conditions in the town, Pantelis also puts his passion and commitment to the trade down to his love for food.

"I really enjoy the job and there is no pressure on me when I come to work each day because of that," he said.

"I enjoy cooking and people love the fish so it is really good.

"I am used to cooking quite big sizes of fish and have done it for a long time."

With stock filled, the dedicated cook is anticipating his schedule at the shop to intensify over the coming months.

"It will take some time to get people coming in but it is just nice to see those who are coming in already," he added.

The store will be open seven days a week.

Aran Dhillon