CAESARS Pizza House in Blackburn is set to close after almost 30 years serving customers in the town centre.

Saeed Ahmadi, who runs the Northgate take-away, which became an institution for those enjoying a night out in Blackburn, said he's extremely sad to be shutting up shop, but due to an increase in rent, can't afford to keep his business open.

Mr Ahmadi said: "I've been here a long time, through thick and thin, and when all the pubs closed and the nightlife suffered I still stayed open.

"However, I can no longer afford to pay the rent, and the drinking culture for young people has changed a lot recently, so sadly, it's time to leave."

Mr Ahmadi joked that in almost 30 years of being a town-centre institution he must have served the whole of Blackburn, and as well as his loyal customers, he's had the pleasure of serving many hungry punters from across the country and around the world.

He said: "People have come from all over to get pizza from here and a lot of people have left messages on the walls for me saying how much they enjoyed my food and thanking me for serving them.

"My customers have been fantastic over the years and I know they're upset I'm closing and are sad to see me go. Some have even said 'where are we going to get our pizza from now?' but once I've had a little break, I might consider looking for another place somewhere else."

Caesars will close its doors for the final time on December 23.