AN Accrington cafe has reopened after £15,000 was invested by a young chef.

Curtis Blackmore, 21, has travelled around the country working at a number of establishments but the lure of trying to put his home town back on the culinary map was too good an opportunity to turn down.

The ex-pupil of Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, wants to turn the former Cafe 33 on Warner Street into a traditional teahouse, and believes there is a market for it.

He said: “It was really unexpected. My brother rang me to see if I was interested in taking on a business in Accrington.

“I met with the last owners and then got some funding help from Hyndburn Enterprise Trust.

“I have been a pastry chef and it is one of my passions - sweet stuff, and I have a sweet tooth.

“I am hoping it will go really well as people enjoy tea rooms.

“I want nice teas and I am going to make everything myself."

The delicacies on offer will include cakes, scones, sandwiches and pies.

He said: “I think it will bring a lot of people to the area when they hear about it.

“It is going to have a nice atmosphere with our staff having smiley faces to serve everyone.”

Curtis beat other young chefs to be named in the top five of the National Junior Chef awards when he was at Accrington and Rossendale College.

“I am very young for what I am doing and it has been a bit stressful.

“But I am confident it can be a success.”

Curtis, who boasts an impressive CV which includes spells at Stanley House in Mellor and the Bonny Inn in Salesbury, said: “Anything that I make that is not sold I will take it to the foodbank. It's a good cause and putting something back into Accrington.”