The lost Greater Manchester Taybarns buffet off the M6 where a 'Teletubbies' paint job caused a row

It's passed into memory now, but Greater Manchester's Taybarns once had customers queuing around the block to eat there. Many will remember one of the biggest attractions of Taybarns' food - that there was lots of it.

Giving families a slice, or rather a huge helping of buffet heaven, the first Taybarns branch opened in Swansea in December 2007. Other restaurants soon followed in Barnsley, Coventry, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Gateshead, South Shields - and in Wigan.

Customers would be greeted by the Taybarns bright orange and green logo before heading inside to sit at one of the many tables and booths.

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Taybarns customers paid for their food on arrival and ate as much as they could from buffet counters. There was no limit on how many plates you could have, the only restriction was the time - and people really did pile their plates high.

Customers could enjoy anything from soup, salads and curries to pasta, burger and chips, pizza and more. If you fancied something sweet, you could also head to the dessert stations.

Many across Greater Manchester will remember the Wigan Branch on Warrington Road, which was one of the first buildings visitors to Wigan would see coming off the M6. In July 2009, The Guardian reported how Taybarns Wigan had been open a year and in that time served more meals - 330,000 - than the population of the town - 300,000.

"The sign outside tells customers what to do once they have parted with their £7.99 (£5.99 before 5pm). 'Grab a plate, help yourself, help yourself again.' The folk of Wigan oblige, with 750 of them through the door by 7.30pm," The Guardian reported.

The article described customers queueing round the block, despite the recession, with the giant 150ft buffet bar displaying