ELVIS Presley impersonator and restaurateur Paul Chan has vowed to be back in business within weeks after his premises were badly damaged by fire.

Mr Chan, who opened the Graceland Palace Chinese Restaurant in Cumberland Walk, Tunbridge Wells, 15 years ago and regularly dresses as Elvis to entertain diners with the King’s songs, said: “Elvis is still alive.

“I am really upset and unhappy that this has happened, but it was an accident. It will be at least two weeks before we can open again. I hope, God willing, to be open as soon as possible.

More than 30 firefighters with five pumps were called to the blaze which started in the kitchen at about 6.30pm on Tuesday. They were at the scene for four hours, using ladders and hoses to reach the restaurant which stands in a pedestrian area.

Nine people, including staff and relatives of Mr Chan, were evacuated from the kitchen, restaurant, which was not open at the time, and from flats above in the four-storey building. No-one was hurt.

Mr Chan, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, said his son and his family who live above the restaurant had moved to other accommodation temporarily.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.