Shoppers at Gallions Reach are savouring the culinary delights of Lebanese food after two friends decided to open up a mobile restaurant.

Abid Latif, age, of Macaulay Road, East Ham and Abdus Salam, 35, from Dagenham were both made redundant from their respective jobs in IT.

Although they were both nervous at the prospect of starting their own business in the current climate, their colourful van with Shawarma Shack has become a regular fixture at Gallions Reach.

Abid said: “I think we are a great example of two young professionals who are trying to beat this recession. We are a prime example that redundancy is not the end of the world, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“With the right drive and determination anything is possible.

“We used to go to eat Shawarma’s at Edware Road, we really wanted to bring Edware road to the East end.”

In the four weeks that they have been operating the pair have already attracted many repeat customers and have been awarded the contract to provide food at the Mayor’s Newham Show and Under The Stars, which are due to take place in Central Park, East Ham in July and August respectively.