A West Hampstead restaurant loved for its "unfussy" dishes is closing due to the "soaring costs of everything".

Hām, in West End Lane, is closing for good on Sunday (April 31).

In a statement, Hām said: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Hām this Sunday after more than five years in business.

"The soaring costs of everything makes it very difficult to maintain our mission of being a neighbourhood restaurant providing amazing food at affordable prices.

"This obviously comes at a time when our customers are squeezed by the same cost rises."

The 45-seat restaurant was awarded a bib gourmand for its value for money in the Michelin Great Britain and Ireland guide.

The guide said: "Welcoming neighbourhood restaurant Hām serves assured yet unfussy Mediterranean dishes, offering a good value set lunch and also brunch until the early afternoon."

Hām added: "We are open as normal from now until Sunday so please come for a last hurrah.

"We are proud that the culinary excellence of Hām was recognised with a Bib Gourmand last month and we thank all our staff and customers who have been on this journey with us." 

Supervisor Sara, who is from Italy, said: "I'm the newest member of staff here, I started in November. It's upsetting. We were getting so many people and our name was out. I guess for us in this industry we are used to things changing."

She said she would return to Italy "to enjoy the summer".