MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition to save a large seafront fish and chip sign.

Michael Papanicolaou has been told that the rooftop sign at his Finn McCools Teignmouth chippie needs planning permission.

So he organised a petition of support, which has been forwarded to Teignbridge planners along with the formal application.

'It has been there for over three-years, but I gather that somebody complained about it.

'The sign is quite an eye-catcher, but that is the intention. It does not look out of place in the seaside scene, and nobody has made any negative comments to me about it,' said Mr Papanicolaou.

'Customers, the general public, some councillors and other traders have all signed the petition to retain the sign. It is very difficult trading at the moment, and this summer we were definitely down on previous years, so we need all the help we can get, and the sign does help with business.'