Northern Ireland's fish and chip shops will be hoping to batter the competition this year to become voted the the best in the UK.

The annual fish and chip shop of the year competition has been launched with more than 8,500 eateries throughout the UK invited to take part.

Organised by the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish), the competition is now in its 15th year.

A total of 18 shops in Northern Ireland - across counties Down, Antrim, Tyrone and Londonderry - have entered this year's competition.

For two weeks following Thursday's launch, fans of fish and chips in the province will be invited to vote for their favourite shop using special voting forms.

Ceremony

The findings will be used to draw up a shortlist of all regional winners.

Shortlisted shops will then be visited by Seafish inspectors to select the top three from each UK region, which also includes Scotland, Wales and many parts of England.

Eight regional finalists will converge on London for a day's intensive judging in front of a panel of industry expects.

The winner will be revealed at an all-star awards ceremony at the Cafe Royal on 13 November.

The Sea Fish Industry Authority ( Seafish) was established by the government in 1981 to promote seafood and it delivers a range of services to industry including training technical research and business advice.

It serves all sectors of the UK seafood industry - including fishermen, processors, wholesalers, importers, fish farmers, friers, retailers as well as consumers.

The most recent figures show sales of fish and chips to be worth more than �600 million in the UK each year.