A popular North East restaurant has released images of a couple who ordered £100 worth of food and drink - before leaving without paying.

The Copperstone in Middlesbrough has hit out at a couple who left the venue on Sunday, June 23 after racking up a bill worth more than £100.

A spokesperson for the Thai fusion restaurant said they had tried to provide an opportunity to the pair to come forward and settle their bill, but have now passed the matter to police.

Craig Rennison, owner of The Copperstone, said the incident had knocked his faith in people, but the support the business had received from customers restored his belief.

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He said after being seated and enjoying their food, the two took their drinks and went outside, before entering a car and making off in the space of a few minutes.

He said: "It's sort of disrespectful isn't it, for the businesses as well.

"Everyone's got different views on it, but [the] restaurant game now is really, really hard for everyone.

"The price of the produce now is through the roof. Gas, electric, everything.

"It has happened maybe about three times [to us] over a five-year period, but I have seen it happen a lot lately to a lot of other businesses.

"It's not fair on the businesses at all. You want to catch them so it doesn't happen to other places.

"I didn't like it happening to me, so I wouldn't want it to happen to anyone else."

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Mr Rennison said they had arrived at the restaurant at about 7pm and asked if they could sit outside.

After being informed this was not possible, he said they asked for seating inside, close to the exit.

He said people have advised him to change the business model and charge customers before they enter the venue, but he said he is reluctant to do this as it would ruin the sevice.

CCTV captured the pair leaving in a blue Ford Fiesta. The car registration number and images of the pair have been passed to police.

Mr Rennison said the business had considered putting more staff on the door and changing payment methods, but decided against this due to worries over customer service.

When the image was posted on Facebook, a spokesperson for The Copperstone said: "We need some help if you wouldn’t mind sharing - these two lovely people came in for what looked like a nice romantic meal tonight at the Copperstone in Middlesbrough.

"Ordered food and drinks as normal and obviously wanted to get home - only they forgot to pay us.

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"We think they sounded as if they’re from the Sunderland or Newcastle way, but not sure."

The post said the couple would be given an opportunity to pay by luhctime the following day, but this was not done.

The Northern Echo have contacted Cleveland Police for more information on the incident.