A CHIP shop that was shut for five months after a stolen car crashed into it has recovered to extend its presence on the road it has been serving customers on for 50 years.

A police investigation was launched after a Ford Focus ST ploughed into The Big Chippy in Prescot in the early hours of Tuesday, January 22.

No-one was arrested and extensive damage was caused to the Warrington Road shop leading to the owner shutting it down.

St Helens Star:

Police at the scene of the shop after a car crashed into it in January

READ > Is theft of car linked to chip shop smash?

Demetri Christophorou, 27, and his brother Andreas, 25, subsequently stepped in to buy the premises off the owner, a relation to his uncle Chris.

It was Chris that owned the business before he died last August.

The chip shop reopened at the end of June and and was given a five star rating in a Food Standards Agency hygiene report that was published last month.

The business has been in Demetri's family's ownership since 1969 after moved from Cyprus.

St Helens Star:

Inside The Big Chippy in Prescot

Demetri, who has run three chip shops before purchasing the premises, said: "It was really hard to get the shop reopened after the incident.

"Andreas and myself had been looking to get a shop and opportunities to get one like this do not come up often.

"We really like Prescot. There are lots of nice customers here who are really friendly.

"Sales are improving and we are getting good feedback."

Demetri has worked in chip shops for 10 years and Andreas has been in the industry for eight years.

"Working in chippies is in my blood," Demetri said.

"I am very passionate about it and I work seven days a week.

"I love serving customers and get a kick out of it.

"It is more of a lifestyle than a job."