BY TOBY ROBINSON

COD you believe it! Crewe has the best fish and chips in Britain.

Les's Fish Bar, based in Victoria Street, battered all competition to land the prestigious title of Fish and Chip Shop of the Year 2000.

One of eight regional winners out of hundreds of other shops, Proprietor Les Manning along with his wife attended a special presentation at the Cafe Royal in London last Wednesday.

After 23 years in the business, Les was lost for words on hearing he had landed the big one.

"I just went numb and into a haze when they announced we had won and from that moment it hasn't really stopped," said Les.

Since netting the national title, Les and the Fish Bar have been in high demand with appearances on national and regional television.

It's just the start of what will be a sensational year as champs with activities ahead such as foreign tours to teach people how to cook the best fish and chips.

"We'll do whatever we're asked to do as winning the award makes you an ambassador for the trade," added Les.

"We've had the Crewe shop for 14 years and took over on the day our daughter was born so it is a special place for us," he said.