AN award-winning North Ayrshire chippie has been named as a favourite across the country by food royalty.

National food critic Tom Parker-Bowles has listed The Fish Works in Largs as one of 37 must-try chippies after dining in more than 5,000 restaurants.

It is only one of three Scottish restaurants to make the list along with Anstruther Fish Bar in Fife and Sea Salt and Sole in Aberdeen.

Writing for the Daily Mail, the critic explained: "Fish and chips. Not so much a dish as a national obsession, an integral part of British heritage.

"This heavenly combination of sea and soil got us through the war years (fish and chips were never rationed) and continues to provide crisp, deep-fried delight."

Talking about The Fish Works he said: "A multi-award-winner with views of Scotland's west coast uses locally sourced, sustainably caught fish, and envelops it in the most lovely of batters."

As previously reported, The Fish Works, owned by husband and wife duo Ross and Tiffany Irvin, was named best in Scotland, and came in third place for the UK overall, in the Takeaway of the Year category at the National Fish and Chip Awards.

The much-loved seafront eatery is no stranger to the Fish and Chip Awards as they also took home the award for the best quality accreditation, which celebrates the very best of the UK's fish and chips, last year.