ROADSIDE restaurant chain Little Chef has put its famous logo on a diet.

The company has commissioned a slimmed-down version of the chef character without his tummy in response to growing awareness of healthy eating.

Tim Scoble, chief executive of Little Chef, said: "We get accusations that he is overweight, so he is going to lose his paunch."

A company spokesman confirmed new designs had been drawn up and said customers would be asked their views on the new, svelte chef.

But Mr Scoble said the future of the logo, which has been used for 32 years, was far from assured in the long-term.

"There would be an uproar from our customers if we got rid of it completely," said Mr Scoble.

"It will not go in the next 18 months, but in two or three years' time we will look to see whether it remains part of our branding.''

The Little Chef chain of 375 restaurants was bought last year with the Travelodge chain by Permira.