Two businessmen are hoping a product popular in New York could transform Croydon restaurants' fortunes.

Friends Gavin, 36, and David, 35, from Croydon, have come up with the Restaurant Pack, a gift item for restaurant goers who want try out a variety of different restaurants in the borough.

The product is a pack of 52 cards, with each one representing and describing one of the best local restaurants in the Croydon and Purley area, as well as a few others situated just outside the town.

Each card can be used to redeem a £10 discount on the first meal they have in each restaurant up until 31 December 2013.

The pair, who grew up and went to school in Croydon, hope their unique idea will encourage people to go and visit their local restaurants.

They thought of the idea last Christmas and since then have developed their idea so it is ready to go this Christmas.

The product is already available online, with the pack costing £20.

Co-founder David, who now lives in New York, said it is a concept that is used in Manhattan and has proved to be very popular amongst New Yorkers.

He said: "I’ve always wanted to have my own business and I just knew that bringing this idea to the Croydon and Bromley area would be a winner.

"This is our chance to give something back to the local community that we grew up in and love. If we can play a small part in supporting excellent local restaurants to thrive and help the local community save money while eating great food, we will have accomplished what we set out to do.

Friend, Gavin, added: "Some people only eat out 3-4 times a year, and even they are saving £20 by doing so.

"On the other end of the spectrum, lots of our customers have told us that they use The Restaurant Pack on ‘date-night’ or for a fun night out every week, so they’re saving over £520 eating out each year.

"We have worked flat out trying to make our dream of supporting the local community in which we grew up in a reality."

Visit restaurantpack.co.uk for more details.