Christmas pudding? Sign this form first please...

A restaurant asked more than 350 diners to sign a legal waiver before eating its £7 Christmas pudding.

Neleen Strauss, owner of High Timber, in east London, insisted on the clause in case people choked or chipped a tooth on silver lucky charms embedded in the puddings.

She said she was advised to produce the indemnity form by lawyers who are regular customers.

The declaration, signed by each person who ordered the pudding, said: "I absolve entirely High Timber from all blame or liability should I come to any harm including, but not limited to, a chipped tooth, or any injury as a result of swallowing it."

Ms Strauss said: "It has created a bit of a stir in the restaurant and people looked at it disbelieving at first.

"I thought it was going to be a pain but decided to do it to cover my backside.

"We're based in the City so a lot of my customers are lawyers and they suggested it. It is a bit crazy but I decided to take their advice."

She said many customers saw the funny side and took their forms with them after eating the pudding.

But no one reported any ill-effects after tucking into the dish.

"It turned out to be a bit of fun," said Ms Strauss.

Four in every batch of 30 puddings included a silver charm, which cost between £15 and £95.