REPEATED rainfall has flushed out the owners of an underground restaurant that was once a Victorian public convenience.

Flooding has proved very inconvenient for Mark and Catherine Holdsworth, who were forced to close their business only six months after it opened.

They believe the problems have been caused by unsatisfactory repairs to the pavement outside the Buena Vista restaurant, in Albert Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

The building, which is mostly below the ground, was built about 100 years ago as a lavatory block. Converted into a cafe in 1991, it is sited in a cliff face and its roof is a footpath above.

Mr and Mrs Holdsworth moved from Durham and opened the restaurant last May.

They said trade took off immediately and it became very popular. Eight months later, however, Buena Vista faces an uncertain future.

Mrs Holdsworth believes the problems began after repair work was carried out by Scarborough Borough Council in July.

"After they worked on the pavement, water began to leak into the restaurant when it rained," she said.

"The council didn't come back until November and the two days' work they did then was left unfinished.

"The restaurant has remained closed for two months and we have lost all our Christmas trade. It is our livelihood and has been ruined."

Council head of property services Graham Price said: "It must be remembered that this was built as public conveniences and not as a cafe.

"We have investigated to see if water is coming in from the footpath, but are satisfied that that is not the cause of the problem.

"But we are not walking away from the situation and are making arrangements to meet Mr and Mrs Holds-worth.