A NORTH YORKSHIRE man has realised a dream, winning his licence to fill stomachs at his own restaurant in his home town of Richmond.

Raffles, in Rosemary Lane, is open for business thanks to a loan from The Prince's Trust, and business has been booming so far, despite the impact that the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic has had on visitor numbers across the Dales.

Jason Leyburn, 28, learned his trade in some of the area's most popular pubs and hotels, including the Morritt Arms, at Greta Bridge, and The Black Bull, at Moulton.

However, the former St Francis Xavier School pupil is now going it alone, with just one part-time member of staff to help.

"I always wanted to have my own restaurant and people kept telling me to just go and do it," he said.

"The Bedale Enterprise Business Centre put me in touch with The Prince's Trust and I just took it from there."

Raffles can seat 20 people and is open between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday, during the evenings on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at lunchtime on Sundays.