A PAIR of eager entrepreneurs plan to bring a taste of the Caribbean to Preston after a chance conversation led them to become business partners.

Former taxi driver Donald Graham-Smith who lives in Preston, answered the call to take Richard Riordan to hospital after he fell and broke his arm before Christmas. In true taxi tradition, Donald chatted about his plans for a Caribbean restaurant, if only he could find a partner.

Leyland-based Richard, a retired Lancashire Trading Standards officer, was so impressed that he offered to join Donald in the venture there and then.

Now the pair hope to open their Church Street eating house The Country Hut.

Donald, who hails from West India, said: "It was a massive coincidence that I met Richard. Neither of us could believe it.

"We're so culturally opposite but we immediately clicked and found we had a lot of the same aims.

"It's encouragement to other people to follow their dreams and get together, whatever their cultural backgrounds."

Richard said the decor and atmosphere in the restaurant - a former hairdressers - would create the feeling of being in a Jamaican beach bar. He added: "Donald and I look so different but we have so much in common. We're ready for the new challenge."

Councillors were today (Thursday) expected to approve a planning application for the restaurant.

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