A WELL-known town centre chip shop is up for sale, after the owner collapsed while serving.

Pete Theodorou has owned the Hake Boat, in Railway Road, for nearly three years.

But last Wednesday he collapsed in the shop and was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where he was diagnosed as having low blood pressure and ordered to rest. The shop has remained closed since.

Pete, 38, who lives in Darwen, said: "Under doctor's orders I have to relax for a couple of weeks and so I have put the shop up for sale. It was a very hard decision to take, I had a lot of good customers."

Pete is to sell the premises with 'fixtures and fittings' included and hopes for a quick sale.

He plans to return to Cyprus, where he grew up, with the money for a few months to recover.

Father-of-three Pete was among the many traders who voiced their concerns over the closure of nearby Church Street, saying it affected his business.

He is also a well-known charity fundraiser. Last June he had his beard shaved off to raise money for Imperial Cancer Research in memory of his mother, grandmother, auntie and mother-in-law, who all died from cancer.

He raised more than £1,000 -- including a £500 donation from the Blue Lagoon in Railway Road, Blackburn.

Before taking over the Hake Boat, Pete owned Greek restaurant Olive Grove, in Darwen and before to that worked in many cafes around Blackburn and Accrington.

Born in London, he moved to Cyprus with his Greek-born parents, eventually returning to England 20 years ago when he met his wife from Blackburn, who was on holiday at the time.