West Sussex restaurant said diners left without paying bill

The group of men, women and children ate hundreds of pounds worth of pasta before piling into a truck having only paid for their drinks.

The restaurant’s owners said that diners not paying is a problem that could force businesses to close.

Neil Kimber, owner of La Banca in Selsey, said the group of ten people paid just £60 for drinks before leaving on Saturday evening.

He said: "They will bring a small business like us down.

"They said the food was rubbish and they weren't paying before pulling out a wedge of about £1000 in cash and throwing down £60 after I said the drinks they had couldn't have been rubbish.

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"There are a lot of small business in Selsey like us which that could cripple.”

La Banca restaurant in Selsey High Street (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Neil said the group booked a table for eight on Saturday night – but ten people showed up.

He said the group of six children and four adults ate dishes of ragu and carbonara before refusing to pay.

La Banca only uses locally sourced ingredients, Neil said, and the money would have covered a £400 bill from the butchers across the road where they source their meat.

The owner of the family-run restaurant added: "It's getting more and more common down here. Selsey is only a sleepy town and we're being taken advantage of.

"It's just getting constant. We are a family restaurant and we value our reviews.

"We don't want to charge our customers up front, but it's getting worse.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said they are investigating the incident.

The force said: “Police were called to a report of theft at a restaurant in High Street, Selsey on September 1, which is believed to have taken place between 6pm and 8pm on 31 August.

"An investigation is under way and a review of witnesses and CCTV footage will take place to try and identify suspects or anyone involved.”