POPULAR Shirley restaurant Puccini's has become part of Southampton's largest independent restaurant chain after being sold for an undisclosed sum.

The eatery hit financial trouble and went into receivership before being bought out by Dalmeny Leisure, becoming the group's sixth restaurant in and around the city.

Puccini's founder Gino Cataffo is to stay on along will all the staff at the Shirley High Street trattoria, known for its eat-free-on-your-birthday promotion.

Already Dalmeny boss Steve Hughes, pictured left, has ordered Puccini's open at lunchtimes and there are plans to increase the Puccini theme with photos of his home town of Lucca in Tuscany.

Denis Bundy, Dalmeny Leisure marketing consultant, said: "It's a busy restaurant and it is hard to understand what went wrong.

"Steve's always interested in acquiring good restaurants and this is a good opportunity, it fits well into the group.

"It was acquired at a fair price."

The deal is another step in the expansion of the Dalmeny Leisure group, which employs around 200 people across the region.

Begun in the late 80s it today includes Dock Gate 4, Banana Wharf, Wine Bar and Ennios in Southampton as well as Casa Bodega in Romsey and The New Forest Lodge at Landford.

Steve Hughes said: "Puccini's has served Shirley and Southampton well. It has a great atmosphere and a reputation for good food and excellent service. We are looking forward to continuing to provide the local community with great Italian food and building on the reputation of this classic Italian trattoria."