THOUSANDS of people have voted a Weymouth fish and chip shop’s chips the best in the South West.

Alf’s Fish and Chip Shop, in Lynch Road, won the award as part of the Choice Chip Awards.

The awards feature as part of Chip Week 2014, organised by the Potato Council. They recognise the best chips served across the country.

John and Karen Pearce, owners of Alf’s Fish and Chips, said it was ‘very unexpected’ but they were delighted to be acknowledged.

Mr Pearce said: “We only have three staff and we took on all the chippies in the South West. We’d like to thank all the locals and the Echo for their support with it. It is a great achievement.”

The vote was open to members of the public. Mr Pearce said they had received support from a large number of people, getting over 2,000 votes.

He said: “We had support from everybody. They said you do so much for charity, let us do something for you.”

Alf’s Fish and Chip Shop has raised money for a variety of causes over the years and continues to make donations to the local community.

In December last year, the shop donated 700 portions of sausage and chips to Conifers Primary School and Beechcroft St Paul’s Primary School.

The couple now hope to raise enough money to take local elderly members for a day out at Blue Pool, near Wareham.

Mr Pearce said: “We’re trying to make money at the moment and take them all there.

“We’ve just been approached by midwifery at the hospital to see if we can do something for them.”

Alf’s Fish and Chips has won a number of awards, including Britain’s Favourite Family Chippy in 2012.

Mr Pearce said ‘quality’ was a significant factor behind the business’ success.