The founder of a popular Italian restaurant in a Buckinghamshire village has issued a 'very big thank you' to his customers for supporting the business for nearly a decade.

Gianluca Paletta founded the Italian restaurant Da Luca in Marlow Bottom nine years ago on Monday, December 4, and in the years since, it has become one of the village's most popular spots, standing out from the crowd in Gianluca's commitment to sourcing local and high-quality produce to create authentic Italian dishes inspired by his home region of Calabria.

Taking to Facebook on Monday to mark the anniversary, the founder, who is nicknamed Luca, said it was "incredible how time flies when you're having fun".

He added: "A very big thank you to all my staff who have been helping me, we wouldn't be here without them and a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all my friends and customers who have been supporting us."

Marlow Bottom residents expressed their love for the restaurant in the comments of the post, with Natalie Humby declaring Da Luca to be her "favourite restaurant" and Carmel Collins insisting that the business "stay forever".

Joanne Metherell wrote: "I can't really remember a time when (Da Luca) wasn't there! A super asset to the village and a wonderful team too."

Nick Dean dubbed it the “best restaurant in Marlow” and Neil Berry said it was “one of the only things we miss having left the Valley”.

Judy Smith summed up the general feeling of the comments section, writing: “What would we have done without you?! All the meals and wonderful celebrations we have had with you and your staff over those years. Thank you.”