The finalists for the Contribution to the Local Community Award at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2013, hosted by Seafish, the authority on seafood have been announced.

Alf’s Fish & Chips in Weymouth, Taylor’s in Stockport and The Ashvale Fish Restaurant in Aberdeen have reached the final three of the prestigious award category, having been recognised for the fundraising and charitable support that the staff and the owners provide to their local community and for their positive contribution to society.

The shop will now compete at a glitzy evening awards ceremony in London on 24 January 2013 at the Lancaster London Hotel.

The fish and chip shop focuses on providing customers high quality produce, using fish caught from sustainable fishing grounds, whilst also recognising the importance of providing excellent value for money and superior customer service.

The Contribution to the Local Community Award gives shops the opportunity to be recognised for their excellence with regards to their efforts in putting something back into their respective local community.

Jos Standerwick, Corporate Partnerships and Fundraising Manager of Seafarers UK, a judge of this year’s Contribution to the Local Community Award said: "It is with great pride that I have been able to determine this year’s finalists.

"This award is very special as it demonstrates why fish and chip shops are a British institution and why many are often at the heart of their local communities.

"The effort that the shortlisted shops put into their individual projects – whether that be charitable or supportive to their community – really does showcase the incredible contribution they make to local life and they should be very proud of reaching the final.”

Paul Williams, CEO of the competition organisers Seafish said: "Each year we see fish and chip businesses across the UK become increasingly involved in their local community and supporting local events.

"This year, some of our regional winning fish and chip shops linked to recent awards took part in a Help for Heroes fundraiser to donate funds to the charity supporting British soldiers at home and stationed abroad.

"The extremely high calibre of entries this year has made the competition even more exciting and the judging panel found it very tough determining the final shortlist. However, the three finalists deserve to be recognised for their genuine contribution to local life and the goodness they bring to their community.

"The shops are judged on their approaches and contribution to supporting their local community and we were happy to also recognise the shortlisted shops for their effort in local projects and the contribution they make to their community.”