The city is to host a third Big Eat event this summer to coincide with the Olympic torch relay.

Thousands of diners flocked to the city on Tuesday to take advantage of a variety of deals at Leicester's best restaurants.

It is estimated the night generated about £150,000 for businesses in Leicester.

The event was so well supported, waiters and maitre d's were turning hoards of potential customers away.

One Leicester, which organised the promotion, is now hoping to capitalise on the success and is planning a third Big Eat on July 2 – the day the Olympic torch passes through the city.

City centre director Sarah Harrison said: "There will be a lot of people at the relay and it would be great to encourage them to come back into the city and take part in the event.

"Tuesday was such a phenomenal success and to see so many people was fantastic.

"I know people were being turned away, but that only forced them to go and try places off the beaten track.

"What would be great is if people now returned, which was the point of the event – to showcase the city centre and get people back in."

Some 56 restaurants took part in the promotion, held jointly with Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival.

Deals included two-for-one offers, 50 per cent off and two dine for £12 at venues including Zucchero, in Charles Street, and Michelin-rated restaurant Maiyango.

Kayal, in Granby Street, fed more than 250 people on Tuesday night before showcasing the Should I Stay or Should I Go comedy evening.

Kayal manager Prakash Mendonca said: "It was such a fantastic success, I'm very glad to hear that it's happening again so soon.

"We were busier than a normal Saturday night, which is very hard to beat, and a lot of them said they would be coming back, which was really the whole point of the evening.

"It's good for the city because it encourages people to come into Leicester, and, hopefully, once they get a taste they'll come back regularly."

The Olympic flame will pass through Leicester and 16 towns and villages in the county and Rutland on July 2 and 3.

Leicester City Council is hosting an event at Abbey Park to mark the occasion.