A business owner who was forced to close his authentic American Diner from the 1940s has opened a new restaurant in a town centre.

MDM 'Royal' Karim was told by Longacres garden centre in August that his Bybrook Barn-based mobile diner in Kennington had to find somewhere else to trade after 20 years on the site.

Despite the search effort proving fruitless so far, Mr Karim has now branched off into Ashford town centre by taking on the former Que's Smokehouse in Bank Street.

Mr Karim took over the lease on January 7 after the former barbecue venue shut last year.

It is now called RJ's Diner and opens for the first time at 10am today.

Mr Karim said: "I saw this place was up to let - the previous tenant couldn't carry on - so I've come in and taken it over.

"We have put our own stamp on it, it looks fresh.

"We've repainted the whole place, freshened it up and installed air conditioning which is new for this site.

"I've got a themed room behind the back of the bar, which can be used for birthday parties and private parties.

"It's going to be called the New York room and will be able to fit about 30 people inside.

"We've got a brand new team, and I'm looking to employ between five and 10 people."

Mr Karim still owns his Kennington diner - which was brought over from New Jersey and originally ran in Covent Garden as a Fatboy's Diner.

It is still sitting next to the Longacres garden centre, but Mr Karim says will be reopening in another location but did not say where or when.

It was forced to close last year when Longacres reclaimed the land for development.

Harking back to his previous venture, American staples including hamburgers, pancakes and waffles will be offered at RJ's Diner alongside a USA aesthetic.

Mr Karim will also be revitalising the food challenges which he says separated his previous diner from its competitors.

Chief among them will be an eight-stack of burgers with a unique topping on each, which 500 people attempted to eat at the restaurant's former Kennington home.

Speaking about his opening today, he said: "We are opening on Valentine's Day and the menu will be Valentine's-themed with two-for-one offers.

"There will be a special opening menu and guests will get a free glass of wine with every meal."

Usual operating hours are 8am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, 8am to 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday, with reduced hours of 8.30am to 9pm on Sundays.

If you're interested in joining RJ's Diner's bar or kitchen staff, email roysdiner15@gmail.com