IT is the “end of an era” in Ilminster after a pair of community stalwarts revealed they have sold their chip shop after more than two decades serving the town.

Dean and Michelle Harrop, who have also raised in excess £10,000 for charities, are leaving West Street Fish and Chip shop after serving residents for 21 years.

Nicola Harrop, one of the pair’s children, announced Dean and Michelle’s final day will be this weekend and honoured her parent’s hard work in the town.

Nicola said: “At the age of 55 they have decided to sell up. They just want to take a bit of time and spend it with the family.

“I think they really deserve this. They have worked so hard. Although this is an exciting new chapter to their lives many people in Ilminster will be very sad to see them leave.

“They are so much more than just shop owners. Mum is the one person some of her elderly customers talk to all week and her constant smile and kind conversations are so important to these people.

“I don’t know anyone who has worked so hard in the last 15 years.

“I think they will have at least 200 people coming forward to say goodbye because they are so recognised in the town. Mum can’t walk down the street without being stopped every couple of minutes.

“It is the end of an era really. I think it will be a bit of a shock for a lot of people.”

The couple have three children , Nicola, Kelly Napper and Sean Harrop. Nicola has two children, Bethany aged seven and Kaitlyn aged five, and Kelly has two kids, six-year-old Charlie, and two-year-old Melissa.

Nicola added: “They have raised in excess of £10,000 for Ilminster play school, Broadway play school, Bristol Children’s Hospital, and the neonatal ward in Taunton.

“My mum is literally so selfless. I just think they are amazing really.

“They treat the staff so well and the staff look after them as well. They wouldn’t have got where they are now without the support of the staff.

“They have signed all the papers so last day of trading is Saturday, July 29.”

When they take over, the new owners are set to continue trading in the town as a chip shop.