A Brentwood restaurateur is planning to raise diners' eyebrows by adding crocodile and kangaroo to his menu.

Matthew Mason, who runs Mason's Restaurant and Bar, says that diners have been jumping over each other to sample pan-fried strips of kangaroo rump imported specially from Australia.

And he expects a similar response when crocodile is added later this month.

And he is not stopping there. If crocodile proves a hit, he intends plans to introduce other exotic meats - including ostrich - to the Ingrave Road restaurant, which currently specialises in fish dishes.

Said Mr Mason: "Since we introduced kangaroo at the start of the month it's been selling out daily. It's gone really well.

"We introduced it as a special, but it's been such a success that we are now planning to make it part of our permanent menu."

"We are trying more exotic dishes at the moment," said Mr Mason. "We like to have something on the menu that raises a few eyebrows."

Mason's Restaurant and Bar can be contacted for bookings on 01277 261331, or by visiting www.masonsrestaurant.co.uk

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