A popular American-Italian eatery in Lancaster has served its last meal.

Molly's, in Church Street, was run as a family business for a number of years before it changed hands as of Saturday (June 9).

The eatery is due open again on Friday (June 14) as Roma Italian Restaurant under the ownership of Tom Laycock, who previously worked as a manager at Molly's, and his business partner Bogdan Gavra.

He said: "The idea of a takeover is relatively new, it's only been a couple of months in the making.

"I've never owned a restaurant before, I've just spent 10 years or so working in bars and restaurants.

"I started working here as a general manager and then I was approached by Bogdan and we decided to put a bid in."

Mr Laycock says that the previous owners rarely visited the UK to check on Molly's and had failed to keep the restaurant fresh.

"They hadn't changed the pricing for about four years," he said.

"They hadn't kept up with inflation rates and the restaurant was hemorrhaging money, hopefully we can turn this place into a viable business.

"We don't want to change too much because we know it is popular, so there will be all the pasta and pizza but we want to add a fine dining element."

Mr Laycock is currently busy giving Molly's a make over so it can become the new Roma Italian Restaurant.

He said that a lot of cleaning and a few changes to the decor will take place before the diner re-opens on Friday but that any major changes will not happen for a few months.

He said: "We are looking at sorting the outside area.

"Then hopefully we can get everyone out there in the summer."

Molly's thanked their fans and customers on social media, commending them for their support and confirming that the restaurant would return just under a different guise.

The post read: "Last ever meal served. That’s everything from us...

"Thanks for the all the memories over the years."

It was followed up the next day by an update which stated: "The business has been bought and shall re-open on Friday the 14th of June as Roma Italian Restaurant.

"Any bookings that have been made on and after the 14th are still booked in.

"Look forward to seeing you all, thanks again for the massive amount of support over the years."