OWNERS of a Ribble Valley restaurant are celebrating after being recognised for their use of local produce.

Stosie Madi and Kathy Smith run Weezos in Parson Lane, Clitheroe, which has been named the Les Routiers 2007 best restaurant in the North.

Opened three-years-ago, the restaurant has also made the grade for the recently launched Ribble Valley Food Trail that seeks to promote the borough's best produce.

And Stosie said and Madi were delighted with their success.

She said: "It's brilliant because we use a lot of ingredients from the local area and try and use them in everything we do.

"To be awarded something like this is a real boost."

Les Routiers in Britain is a network of independent, owner-managed venues throughout the UK. To receive recognition they must have individual character, a welcoming atmosphere, good cooking and fair prices.

Weezos, which sells European cuisine, has recently undergone a refurbishment and the business partners are now looking to do the same to their other venture - The Parkers Arms at Newton-in-Bowland.

They took over the country pub last January and are going to start a major refurbishment of the building at the start of next year.

Stosie said it was vital to maintain the country character of the pub and said she was willing to the thoughts of locals andwhat they wanted to see done.

She added: "The beautiful area provides such a wonderful location and we want to keep the country feel.

"There are so many farmers and produce right on our doorstep that we can use and we are looking to utilise it all.

"We want to keep it as a country pub should be."