Christmas Eve marks the end of an era when the man who founded the oldest curry house in Surrey closes his last restaurant for the last time.

The Ashtead Curry House 3, in The Street, Ashtead, which has served everyone from newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald to late actor Oliver Reed, for 33 years is closing after owner Mohammed Fazlul Haque, decided to retire.

The 72-year-old, from Ashtead, said it has been a difficult decision but he wants to focus on other projects and spend time with his grandchildren.

Mr Haque opened his first restaurant, The Curry House, in Epsom in 1967 as he noticed there were no Tandoori restaurants in Surrey, despite the growing popularity of Indian cooking in the UK.

Experienced in the dining industry, success with his first venture led him to open a second branch in Ewell in 1975, and then Ashtead Curry House 3 in 1980.

Over the years his customers have included the television presenter Des O’Connor and the drug dealer turned author Howard Marks who mentioned the Ewell branch in his autobiography Mr Nice.

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The Epsom and Ewell branches of the restaurant have both since closed and Mr Haque said the shutting of the Ashtead eatery "marks a definite end of an era".

He said: "Over the past 46 years, we have served countless meals to curry enthusiasts, novices and committed regulars alike - some who first visited as children with their parents in the 1960s and 1970s, and now travel miles back to Ashtead, and some from overseas, bringing their own children for a taste of authentic Indian cuisine.

"As Ashtead is a small village, the restaurant has become something of a local heritage and landmark for many people for such a long time.

"We're very grateful to have had a wonderfully successful business in Surrey for over 40 years, and we'd like to thank all of our customers who have supported us along the way.

"We hope that before we close locals will drop in so that we can say goodbye and thank you to them in person."

The restaurant’s speciality dishes include the Curry House Special, which is cooked in a secret spice sauce served with an omelette on top; Chicken Tikka Laziz, a spicy dish cooked with sweet mangoes, tomatoes and hot green chillies; and Lamb Methi, a medium-spicy dish cooked with special Methi leaves to give a distinct rich flavour.