Staff at a top restaurant near Easingwold made a trip to the Restaurant Show in London to collect a specially-made commemorative plate after winning the AA's coveted two-rosette award.

Despite being under new ownership for only nine months, the Rose and Crown, at Sutton-on-the-Forest, was one of only 2,000 restaurants to receive the award out of 7,000 inspected nationwide by the AA.

The award is made to restaurants for their quality of cuisine, consistency and judgment, ambition to reach high standards and use of seasonal ingredients from quality suppliers.

Owner Ralph Magee spent 25 years in the fine food industry before opening his own restaurant.

He said: "It is very satisfying to have been awarded the two rosettes after such a short time. It reflects our dedication to create a seriously good restaurant specialising in imaginative and modern English food."

Mr Magee's search for talented and experienced staff has resulted in head chef Stephen Harper being recruited from the Arkle restaurant at the Grosvenor Hotel, Chester.

Meanwhile, manager Stephen Maude has returned to the North from the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel.