THE Telegraph and Argus is looking for a great chippy in the Bradford district to crown them Best Fish and Chip Shop 2020.

We want you to nominate your favourite chippy, whether it is because of their perfectly golden chips, crisp haddock or their friendliest welcome.

“We want to help out local businesses that are still able to open in this lockdown,” said Lauren Wood, marketing executive at the Telegraph and Argus.

“We would like to give them some good recognition for being able to be open over the next few weeks and onwards.

"We thought it would be nice to focus on fish and chip shops because the majority of them will have remained open even through the first lockdown."

The humble fish and chips is a dish that originated in England and is an example of culinary fusion, combining Iberian Jewish fried fish with Belgian fried potatoes.

Fish and chips is one of the UK's most common take-away foods, as it is in numerous other countries, particularly in many of the Commonwealth nations.

The popularity of fish and chips is so widespread and Lauren gave her thoughts on why people love a good fish and chip dinner.

“For me, it’s a nice treat to look forward to after work," she said.

“People like to relax and have them with their family. It’s something cosy to enjoy with your loved ones."

Lauren also explained that this competition gives everyone a chance to shout about their favourite chippy.

She said: “It can be hard to find that best portion of fish and chips, so when someone finds that somewhere that is spot on, this is your chance to give them recognition for being the best.

“It’s nice to find a place that everybody thinks is best.

"And this competition is a way of making more and more people aware of the great businesses we have in the Bradford district."

Fish and chips first appeared in the UK in the 1860s. Although the exact location of the first fish and chip shop is unclear, the earliest known shops opened in that decade in London by Joseph Malin and in Mossley, near Oldham, by John Lees.

Not only are they a seaside favourite, but the dish has a special connection to Yorkshire as a popular local fish and chip shop made the Guinness Book of Records in the 1950s.

In 1928, Harry Ramsden opened his first fish and chip shop in Guiseley.

On a single day in 1952, the shop served 10,000 portions of fish and chips, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Click here to nominate your Best Fish and Chip Shop

Nominations will be open until Thursday, November 19. We will then publish the top 20 in the November 26 and 27 editions of the T&A.

People can then choose the Best Fish and Chip Shop from those 20 nominations.