A LANDLORD couple are hoping they have found the recipe to success at a popular Thirsk pub.

Neil and Pat Carter took over the Lord Nelson pub, on St James Green, in March and aim to turn it into a quality food venue.

They bring with them three decades of food industry experience and plan to make a menu of home-made dishes using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

"We decided food was the way forward for the Lord Nelson. That's where our expertise lies and is where we're focusing all of our energy," said Mr Carter.

"We've invested a lot of time and money transforming the pub into a quality gastro venue, and we're confident that investment will pay off in terms of growing our customer base and earning a reputation as a quality venue."

A 48- seater restaurant and modern kitchen has been built at the Tadcaster Pub Company building.

Its new menu will range from sandwiches and snacks during the day to an a la carte menu at night.

James Crawford-Porter, Tadcaster managing director, said: "Neil and Pat have a genuine passion to establish the Lord Nelson as a quality food pub, and they have the skills, drive and enthusiasm to achieve that goal."