Staff at one of the country’s favourite fish and chip restaurants are celebrating once again after striking gold. 

Colmans of South Shields has just picked up Gold in the North East England Tourism Awards.

It is the second time in the last three years the Ocean Road chippy in South Shields has been given the top prize in the Taste of England category.

IT^S A FAMILY AFFAIR: RICHARD JR, RICHARD SR, DOMINIC AND FRANCES ORD

The award now gives the restaurant the chance to once again compete on a national level, having already won titles including Best UK Takeaway (BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards), Best UK Restaurant (The National Fish and Chip Awards) and the Sustainable Restaurant Association Award (Les Routiers Awards).

Richard Ord, owner of the restaurant and take away, said: “We are once again thrilled to be given the gold award in the Taste of England category.

“This is the second time we have won this award having won it in 2010. Everybody is overjoyed and it’s a great achievement by our team at Colmans.

“Tourism has never been more important to the economy and we’re delighted we can do our bit.

“We would like to thank all our loyal customers; without their support awards like this would not be possible and, of course, all our dedicated team at Colmans.”

This year the fourth generation business has been named in the Good Food Guide for the fourth year running, won the top traditional chip shop spot in Britain by men’s magazine Esquire and gained the Sustainable Restaurant Association Award in the prestigious Les Routiers Awards.

Now after this latest scoop at the award ceremony held on Thursday (Nov 22), Colmans will have the chance to compete on a national stage against winners from England’s other regions at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2014.

NewcastleGateshead Initiative worked alongside other members of the Northern Tourism Alliance members and wider partners to organise the 2013 awards - including South Tyneside Council, Visit County Durham, Northumberland Tourism, Hadrian’s Wall Trust, Northumberland County Council, Sunderland City Council and North Tyneside Council.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of the winners, who have again proven that the tourism industry is one of the region’s most innovative economies, and thank everyone who was involved in making the awards such a great success.”