Waiters at a Sudbury restaurant claim they can guess customers' eating habits just by checking the weather.

A quick look skywards and staff at the Grill Bar & Kitchen in Watford Road know if diners will order meat, fish or salads.

ñWeÍve started organising the rotas and breaks around the evening weather reports on the television, just so that we can keep up-to-date and know what to expect for the next few days,î said manager Conrad Dean.

ñMore hearty dishes, such as steak, sausages or duck were popular during chilly February and our halloumi cheese is a common choice when itÍs sunny - regardless of the temperature.

ñWe also get a lot more requests for fish when itÍs raining; though whether itÍs tuna fish or Michael Fish, IÍm not sure.î

But like Mr FishÍs weather forecasts the Grill BarÍs predictions are not always accurate.

ñWe had a bit of a blip a couple of weeks ago when the clocks went forward,î admitted Conrad. ñEveryone wanted salad, even though it was snowing. I think they expected it to be June all of a sudden.