A SHOCK council tax bill has forced the sudden closure of one of Saltburn's most popular bistros.

Omara's was run in the former dining room of the Queen Hotel in Saltburn town centre by Shaun and Sandra Omara, who are now signing on the dole.

A notice on the door in Station Street says the shut-down after more than two years of trading was "due to the unfair rise in council rates".

Mr Omara, who has been a chef for more than 30 years, told the D&S Times: "The bistro rooms had their rateable value re-assessed by Redcar and Cleveland Council last week and my face went white when I was told the rates would cost £5,000 a year.

Previously I paid a combined rent and rates to my landlord. But the council re-valued the whole property when the Windsor's bar was opened in part of the hotel earlier this year."

Mr Omara said that he and Sandra felt they had "given something special to Saltburn" by keeping prices modest.

Now they had been penalised.

He said he did not blame the hotel owner, Peter Fawcett, but he did not want to go into debt for the first time so decided to close the bistro.

"I thought of declaring myself bankrupt but there is no need to. All bills will be paid."

Mrs Omara said: "We have had gorgeous customers. A lot of people will miss the bistro."

Saltburn property developer Jeff Probst said: "I have been coming here for breakfast every day and am really disappointed at the closure.

"It has been like an institution where I have met my friends for a chat. Shaun and Sandra are such a friendly couple with nothing being too much trouble for them."

Mr and Mrs Omara, who live in the hotel, said they were now going to sign on for unemployment benefit.