A family are set to celebrate the grand opening of their restaurant and cafe which is a tribute to their late daughter and sister.

Eastern Daily Press: Ann and Carl Foster inside Dannii's Diner which will have its grand opening on Saturday. Picture: Rebecca MurphyAnn and Carl Foster inside Dannii's Diner which will have its grand opening on Saturday. Picture: Rebecca Murphy (Image: Archant)

Dannii's Diner, on Thetford Road in Brandon, is owned by Carl and Ann Foster and their 24-year-old daughter Sam.

The couple, who own the Mace shop next door, had always wanted to run a cafe but sadly before the shop could be opened, their daughter Danielle, who liked to go by the name Dannii, died suddenly in May last year.

The 25-year-old had a rare and severe form of muscular dystrophy (MD), known as Duchenne, and is a condition which causes progressive muscle weakness.

Mrs Foster, 53, said: 'She was looking forward to coming down and helping out but sadly it never came to be. But we have done it in her memory.

'For many years we always wanted a cafe but the opportunity never came around. Then we bought the shop next door - which we always said we would love - in April last year.

'At the time we didn't know what we were going to do with it. It was going to be a shop more than anything.'

Dannii had been scheduled to have surgery for a gastric bypass - which would have helped her walk again - a few weeks before she died from a heart attack attributed to MD.

'It was very sudden and unexpected,' said Mrs Foster. 'She was really excited about it so that is why we called it [the diner] what we did.

'She would have really loved it. I am very proud. Her dad has done it all. He has put his heart and soul into it for her.'

The diner will serve breakfast, burgers, Sunday roasts and coffee and also offers the chance to order food to take-away.

Dannii had a love for motorbikes and at the grand opening tomorrow, from 11am, there will be an appearance from the Fox Family from Ken Fox's Wall of Death.

Sam Foster added: 'We have had some amazing feedback.

'The community have been absolutely amazing. We would like to thank everyone for the support from when we lost Dannii and even now with this.'

Dannii's Diner will be open Monday to Thursday, 7am to 6pm; Friday to Saturday, 7am to 9pm; and Sundays from 7am to 4pm.

For more information visit Dannii's Diner on Facebook.

For more information on MD visit http://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/