A PRUDHOE chip shop owner is to appear on a new Channel 4 spin-off show.

Anne Ball Blakeburn, of Balls of Prudhoe, has taken part in Come Dine with Me: The Professionals with long-term employee Gary Stewart.

The popular, family-run fish and shop, on Front Street, has been a mainstay in Prudhoe for over 50 years.

Hexham Courant:

The new, day-time programme sees three restaurants go head-to-head in a bid to be crowned the best independent restaurant in their town, county or city, each fighting for the prestigious CDWM:TP award and a cash prize to be shared among the winner’s staff.

Each evening will be scored out of 20.

“I found out one week and the next week, they were here”, said Anne, who runs the business alongside husband Stevie.

A friend of Anne’s entered her to take part – despite her initial objections.

“It was amazing, the experience”, she said. “It was absolutely fabulous to see how it’s all put together.

“It’s four days of sheer full-on; they were here from 8am until midnight.

“My staff worked really hard throughout because me and Gary were off in other places, they held the fort here. They were a huge part in my eyes.

“It was fabulous to be part of. I’d do it all again.

“Since we could tell people, people are coming in and they’re buzzing.”

During filming, friends of Anne’s filled the shop's adjoining restaurant, while family members waited on. Those same friends are to be invited back for a showing as the episode premiers. 

Anne remained tight-lipped about which other restaurants she visited and who the winner is, saying we’d have to watch it to find out.

The episode will air on July 4 at 5pm on Channel 4.