Aberdeen shop owner hit by legal claim from Earl of Sandwich descendants

Neil Corall was ordered to change the name of his outlet in Aberdeen from Earl of Sandwich after threats of action from the current Earl.

He agreed to the switch but has now received a demand for damages and legal costs totalling 3,500.

The present Earl, John Montagu, is a direct descendant of the 4th Earl who is thought to have invented the modern concept of the sandwich in the 18th century.

He has set up a chain of restaurants in the USA called Earl of Sandwich.

Mr Corall, whose shop is now known as E.A.R.L on The Green, said he

received a letter from lawyers representing the Earl's company demanding thousands of pounds in damages and legal costs.

He was also told to remove the name from internet listings and other websites.

Mr Corall, who bought into the seven-year-old city centre business in 2005, said he was shocked by the letter.

He said: "I think they were going in heavy-handed to make sure they got a result, but it was a shock.

"They had registered the trademark before we were operating, so it's fair enough, they have no argument from me."

But he added: "Personally, I feel the legal costs they were asking for were unnecessary, because they could have just picked up the phone and brought this to my attention."

The 4th Earl of Sandwich was a British Navy commander and reputedly keen card player.

He is said to have brought the sandwich to wider public attention when, in 1762, pressed for time, he asked for some meat between two slices of bread.

The 11th Earl is an elected hereditary peer in the House of Lords and an entrepreneur.

He founded his restaurant chain with Robert Earl, who created the Planet Hollywood chain.