Restaurant offers free curry lunches for disabled people and homeless

Elmer Tandoori owner Rukon Chowehury wants to ensure that disabled people and their carers and those who are homeless have the chance to enjoy themselves on the big day.

He is willing to provide them with a free chicken curry, side dish and a drink without charge on December 25.

He said: 'We do business every single day but it can be difficult for people who are disabled and the homeless to enjoy themselves.

'This is something we want to do to help the community and not for money.'

The only condition is that anyone who wants to go along has to book in advance by December 23.

This is to enable the restaurant to know how much food to buy and prepare.

Mr Chowehury expects the offer to prove popular. He has made similar generous gestures in the past. The last one saw 46 disabled people and carers tuck into a curried Christmas lunch without any charge two years ago.

'I imagine there will be more people this year,' he explained, 'because we are inviting homeless people as well. I hope that maybe there will be 50 to 100 people there.'

Bookings for the Christmas Day meal must be made on 01243 582641, 01243 586300 or 07961 587877.