The chips are almost down for the husband and wife duo behind a Porthleven takeaway, as they prepare to say "cod-bye" to their loyal customers.

Roland and Lindsey Lowery have announced they are to leave Roland's Happy Plaice fish and chip shop, after ten years in business.

The couple will serve their last customers on Friday, December 16 before they bid "sole long" and scampi off to a new venture.

For while the gregarious Geordie couple are down fryers, their plan is to hopefully open a tea room in their home village of Mullion.

Roland said: "I have got to 60 and for 45 years have worked in catering. I have never had a job where I have had nights off.

"I love what I do and I love serving and looking after people. However, the shop means long days and heavy work. As much as I like work, I would like to do something different.

"My wife, Lindsey, does not want to move from the chippy and we have hit on a compromise of such. This will mean we will still be looking after the public and feeding their wants. It's a case of as one door closes another opens."

He said the couple had "loved" being in Porthleven, adding: "Gale force winds, torrential rain, power cuts and storms that have been strong enough to smash boats and bring down trees have made Porthleven a very interesting place to have a business.

"We have found the people of Porthleven to be hard workers, resilient and friendly, who rally together in times of need to help each other."

During their time in the port the couple have raised thousands of pounds for both local and national charities - even going so far as to paint the outside of their shop pink to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

"We would like to thank our regulars both local, national and even international for supporting us," said Roland, who has learnt phases in German, Italian , Dutch and Polish and even British Signing so that he can ask customers for their orders.

"We have tried to support all of the local community groups in their fundraising events by providing prizes and support for raffles in the wide area around Porthleven. Working in Porthleven has been an experience we are glad to have experienced."

The couple are now looking forward to having some time off so they can be "tourists" in Porthleven instead.

Their business will continue to be run as a fish and chip shop by new owners.