A RESTAURANT on the North Coast 500 has lodged an appeal to track down four tourists who left without paying their bill last Friday.

Puldagon Farm Shop and Restaurant in Wick, Caithness, claimed the “dine and dash” group were from Australia and has now launched a public appeal on social media in an effort to track them down.

It is believed to be "a totally honest mistake" by the diners but the restaurant owners still hope they might see the appeal and get in touch.

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On Facebook, the restaurant wrote: "Looking to get in touch with the four lovely Australians that visited us yesterday, I believe they were all from Perth.

"They were having a look around the shop but then unfortunately left without paying their bill.

"I'm very sure this was a totally honest mistake, but if they see this post we’d appreciate it if they could get in touch".

The post quickly racked up dozens of likes and comments, many from angry locals who doubted it was by accident.

"An honest mistake or purely doing a runner, they're too kind in my opinion, the latter is more likely,” one said.