AN AWARD-winning fish and chip shop in Weymouth is asking for support from its customers.

Alf’s Fish and Chip Shop, in Lynch Road, is once again entering the Choice Chip Awards.

The awards feature as part of Chip Week 2015 celebrations, organised by the Potato Council and they recognise the best chips across the country.

In last year’s competition, the shop’s chips were crowned the best in the South West after receiving more than 2,000 votes.

John and Karen Pearce, owners of Alf’s Fish and Chips, said they hoped to go one step further this year and take the national crown.

John said: “We strive to make the best chips, which are cooked in fresh vegetable oil, and we only use the best potatoes.

“We have an affordable quality product.

“All of our produce is fresh and we would like people locally to help us.

“We won the regional round but we want to win it nationally. This year we need help to get votes in.”

John’s business has won a number of awards in the past, including Britain’s Favourite Family Chippy in 2012.

The shop has become well known in the area for its charity work, raising money for a variety of causes. It continues to make donations to the local community.

At the moment money is being raised for Julia’s House. Mean-while and proceeds from a raffle held in March will go towards the South Dorset Prostate Cancer Support Group.

John said: “At least four or five of my customers have got prostate cancer and it’s spreading more and more.

“The money that they get will help men get tested for prostate cancer.”

The first prizewinner will win £1,000 with money donated from local businessmen and women. The second prize winner, meanwhile, will win £200.

John said: “Without the Echo and the community we could never do what we do for the community.

“They do a lot for us. They support us so we feel we should support them.”

Fish and chip shops in Portland and Bridport are also taking part in this year’s Choice Chip Awards.

The Codfathers, in Weston Road, Portland, and Longs of Bridport, in King Street and West Street, are listed as well as Alf’s Fish and Chip Shop.

People are able vote for their favourite by filling out voting cards, which should be available at the shops competing.

Alternatively, people can visit chips.lovepotatoes.co.uk where voting will close on Friday, February 6.