BIG-hearted staff and customers from two Port takeaways ‘chipped-in’ to raise thousands of pounds for local charities.

Customers queued up round the block at Louis’s Fish and Chips in Bay Street and Saucy Sue in Princes Street to support the special charity day last Thursday.

Owner Marco Mazzoni reduced all his prices and donated 50 pence in every £1 to charity as a way of thanking the local community for their loyalty over the past 35 years.

Thanks to the generosity of his customers, the day raised £3,000 with the money split between Ardgowan Hospice, The Muirshiel Centre in Port Glasgow — which cares for elderly people — and Craigmarloch School for pupils with additional support needs.

Marco said: “I can’t thank my customers enough, I couldn’t do this without them.

“We had queues from 4pm to 8pm outside both shops, it was unbelievable.

“I had collection boxes inside both shops and they alone raised £260.

“It was full of £10 notes and £5 notes, it’s just fantastic.”

Marco added: “I want to thank all my staff as they worked so hard to keep up with the demand.

“I might do it again, over two days.”

Marco was thrilled to hand over the cheque to representatives from each of the three local good causes.

Norrie McAnally, a service manager at Muirshiel, said: “Any money we receive goes into providing social activities and outings and we’re absolutely delighted to receive this.”

Marco’s daughter Yvonne Mazzoni, who works at Craigmarloch, said: “On behalf of the school, we want to thank him for this kind donation.”

Elaine McNeill, who was there with Millie McFarlane to pick up the £1,000 for Ardgowan Hospice, said: “We greatly rely on donations to provide all of the services to the local community and this was a novel idea of Marco’s to support us in this way and we truly are very grateful.”