A TAKEAWAY chain is to give out free pizza in Loughton High Road this Saturday (January 16) to celebrate winning an award.

Staff at Papa John's, which has been named delivery chain of the year by industry body The Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association, will be handing out the treat from 11am.

Loughton mayor Cllr Ken Angold-Stephens will also be there to unveil a commemorative plaque marking the event.

Papa John’s Loughton franchise owner, Syed Khalid Bokari, said: “We’re delighted that Cllr Ken Angold-Stephens is coming to our store to help us celebrate this fantastic achievement.

"We’ll be giving out free pizza between 11am and midday so we want to invite local people to come and join the party.”

The stunt comes just weeks after rival chain Domino's Pizza was granted permission by the council to open a new shop just yards away from Papa John's in Loughton High Road.