A FERNDOWN fish and chip shop is frying high after being named as one of the best in the country.

Salt and Vinegar in Ringwood Road was one of 300 shops competing for trade magazine Fry’s first-ever 50 best restaurants.

And after months of waiting, owner Karen Milner was delighted to receive a letter in the post that confirmed they had made the final list – and are the only ones in Dorset to do so.

The mum-of-two said: “A mystery shopper came to rate us on service and food months and months ago.

“We had absolutely no idea anyone had visited. The next thing we knew, there was a letter in the post telling us we’d scored 99 per cent, which was just amazing. We’re absolutely thrilled.”

Only nine shops in the top 50 scored 100 per cent, with a minimum requirement of 96 per cent needed to make the list.

Karen said: “We lost a mark because we didn’t ask the mystery customer if they wanted anything extra, like a can of drink or mushy peas.

“But we’re happy to miss out for that. It’s something we make a point of because we don’t want to push our customers into buying things they don’t want.”

The accolade is just the latest for the takeaway, which won the title of best newcomer at the National Fish and Chip Awards in January.

Salt and Vinegar opened just two-and-a-half years ago after Karen and husband Brian, who previously owned a carpet and flooring store, made the move to Dorset.