An 84-year-old man has been named the oldest curry lover in town for his weekly visits to an Indian restaurant.

Bert Masterton indulges his passion for curry by paying weekly visits to the Salaam Bombay buffet restaurant, in Newcastle.

He developed a taste for it after being fed spicy food from the age of seven by his sister, who lived in India for 12 years.

Having become hooked, he travelled to India with the Army, where he broadened his knowledge of curry dishes.

Now he works off his weekly treat by paying twice-weekly visits to the gym.

A restaurant spokesman said: "The first-hand experience of Indian cuisine means Bert's standards are high when it comes to his curry, and only the best restaurant could satisfy his highly-trained tasted buds."

He invited anyone older than Mr Masterton who enjoys eating curry to register their name at the restaurant, at 52 St Andrew's Street.