A BOURNEMOUTH restaurant has launched a kitchenware amnesty after 150 taco trays were stolen in just six months.

Bosses at Ojo Rojo have called for everyone who has taken a tray since the venue opened in March 2016 to return them in exchange for a free plate of tacos.

Bournemouth Echo:

A £2 donation will also be made to charity Shelter with each returned tray.

Owner John Adams promised that no questions will be asked of those who return the items.

"As a local independent restaurant, this kind of cost is difficult to cover, so Ojo Rojo is offering a reward to anyone who may have a much-missed taco tray in their home," he said.

"Anyone who brings in a taco tray to the restaurant will receive a free plate of tacos and no questions asked about the reappearance of the crockery.

"In addition to this, £2 will be donated to the charity Shelter."

The custom-designed trays were designed by local ceramicist Suzette Knight.

More than 200 were created at a cost of almost £2,000.

However, since the restaurant launched, 75 per cent of the trays have been taken by guests who failed to buy them from the bar.

Ms Knight said: “My initial thought on this was, 'Well, I guess it's a compliment that people like my tableware so much that they're just taking it'.

"But in reality, it means that Ojo Rojo won't be able to keep restocking items on that kind of scale, which in turn means that this could potentially put me out of business.

"I really hope that people will get behind them with this.”

The amnesty - nicknamed the 'great Bournemouth taco rush' - will take place throughout October.

For more information, or to return a tray, visit the branch at 106 Commercial Rd, Bournemouth, or call 01202 555282.