A new knight has stepped forward to join the team at Lumley Castle.

Ben Hamida, 49, has been appointed restaurant manager of the Black Knight Restaurant at the hotel in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

He will oversee the day-to-day running of the restaurant and will be introducing a new lunchtime menu for guests.

Mr Hamida, who has worked at many of the region's top hotels, said: "Restaurants have always been my life and working at Lumley Castle is a magical experience. Now I feel like a true king of the castle."