A restaurant is offering a £5,000 reward to stop malicious rumours being spread about it.

Aroma Restaurant, at Freeport shopping village, Braintree, has called police in to investigate rumours that the restaurant served dog meat and was about to be closed by health authorities.

Environmental health officers have confirmed the restaurant passed its regular inspections and was not a cause for concern.

Company bosses felt the rumours were a deliberate campaign being run by someone with a grudge against the company. Call Adrian Chan at Aroma with information on 01376 569200.