OWNERS of a fish and chip shop are looking to give litter a battering.

Enterprising Paul and Julie Hay, who run the award-winning Fish 'n' Fritz takeaway and restaurant in Weymouth, are serving their products in new packaging in a bid to cut down on street rubbish in the town centre.

Their environmentally- friendly stance has got the backing of Weymouth and Portland Mayor Doug Hollings, who has launched a litter-busting campaign in a bid to change people's attitudes and make them proud of the borough.

The cardboard packaging at the Market Street chippie is said to keep the fish fresh for longer and prevents the meal being crushed.

Cardboard is also biodegradable and takes less time to disappear naturally than polystyrene trays, which can take up to 20 years.

There is also an opportunity to recycle cardboard at local recycling banks.

Julie said: "The cardboard packaging costs a few pence extra but we think it's worth it. We decided to use the cardboard after reading an article in a trade magazine.

"The holding temperature is the same and the packaging prevents the fish going soggy.

"The level of impact on the environment is also reduced, which has to be a very good thing."

Some other fast-food outlets are also using cardboard packaging for their products and Julie believes other businesses should follow suit. She added: "We acknowledge that the industry we're in is a main contributor to the litter problem, so it's important to do everything we can to help prevent the amount of rubbish.

"I think the council cleaners do a very good job.

"If you think about how much litter is generated on Carnival Day then have a look at the streets at 7am the next day and they are spotless."

Fish 'n' Fritz has won a Sea Fish Industries Authority Quality Friers Award twice and the shop has also made it into the top ten list of the best fish and chip shops in the country.

The business was recently presented with an Investors in People (IIP) award, a national standard which sets a level of good practice for businesses for improving performance through the development of staff.