A war of words has ignited between two Ayrshire takeaways over 'copycat' claims.
Popular restaurant Tempura, which has outlets in Ayr and Kilmarnock, accused a Kilwinning takeaway of copying their colours and their logo in a searing broadside issued from its Facebook page.
Tempura cafe and bar claimed it was a 'sad day' that the North Ayrshire eaterie, dubbed Tempura Kilwinning, had copied their look.
The Beresford Terrace-based operation went on to accuse their namesake of trying to "fool customers" and said that the business was nothing to do with them.
The full post reads: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
"A sad day when a business not only copies your name but even needs to copy the colours you use in your logo…
"We think they may be trying to fool customers into believing we are involved, please note that this business is nothing to do with us…"
But Tempura Kilwinning hit back at the claims and categorically said they were not intending to fool customers and are "in no way imitating" the Ayr venue.
The Station Plaza eaterie said they did not plan on "copying colour schemes" and "didn’t realise there cannot be business with the same or similar names that sell the same products."
Tempura Kilwinning's Facebook post reads: "Hi folks, we would like to put on the record that we are no way related to 'Tempura Ayr' and have seen the post regarding the situation, we are in no way imitating them and we do not intend to fool customers into believing so.
"We would like to have this on record and have not planned on ‘copying’ colour schemes either.
"We didn’t realise there cannot be business with the same or similar names that sell the same products.
"We have a completely different menu from Tempura - Ayr and as I said originally, we are not trying to imitate them. Thanks folks."
Tempura Kilwinning's Facebook page was only set up on Wednesday.
The dispute emerges after the same Kilwinning venue, also known as King Kone, saw its chef leave the premises last month.
Big Dibby confirmed: "Big Dibbys will unfortunately no longer be based in King Kone.
"However King Kone will still be open but it will not be my food that’s being served. Keep your eyes peeled folks for some exciting news."
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