BLACK Forest gateau - the favourite dessert of the Seventies - is back on the menu for thousands of diners following public outrage at its relegation from the sweet trolley.

With the outrageous clothes and disco music having been revived already, Seventies food is returning to the spotlight.

The Beefeater restaurant and pub chain, which has outlets in Newcastle, Cleadon, near Sunderland, York and Stockton, left the gateau off the menu some time ago, following a perceived drop in popularity.

It was the favourite choice for diners at the fictional restaurant in the classic TV sit-com Robin's Nest, and now it seems the restaurant-going public cannot live without it.

A flood of 80,000 calls and letters have seen it resurrected from the chain's gateaux graveyard.

TV celebrity chef Brian Turner, who works with Beefeater on the menus, said: "I have been working with the menu planners at Beefeater to give the general public the best choice of food available.

"Part of this planning process involves listening to what the public say they would like to see on the menu.

"Due to all the comments we have had about Black Forest gateau, we have updated it to include a twist of chocolate, and it is now back on the menu, as a bigger and better Black Forest pudding."

Ann Elliott, the chain's marketing director, said: "At Beefeater, we like to think that we give our customers what they want, and this latest change to the menu has been brought about as a direct result of public demand."

With many more Seventies dishes causing nostalgic chat wherever they are mentioned, fondue parties, prawn cocktail, Smash "just add water" mashed potato and avocado starters are also proving popular.

Kevin Charlton, head chef at Maxine's, in the New Grange, Darlington, trained during the Black Forest gateau's Seventies heyday.

"It was a big thing back then," he said.

But he said its popularity waned because of the "pre-packed soggy mass" that was sold under the name.

"Proper Black Forest gateau in itself is a kitchen classic. Food is a bit like clothing, everybody's had the retro Seventies, and the Eighties are going strong in fashion. Food will go round in circles."

"I suppose there are only so many things you can do with fruit and a piece of sponge.