A LIFTON restaurant had been awarded the prestigious AA Red Rosette for outstanding cuisine — and its owners are delighted.

It has been the dream of Paul and Margaret Wilson to achieve recognition from the AA since opening Tinhay Mill nearly three years ago.

The restaurant, which also offers accommodation, will be featured in the AA B&B Guide and the AA Restaurant Guide.

Margaret Wilson, who is the chef at Tinhay Mill, said: 'It is brilliant. A lot of people look in the guides to find places to go and also people start to look at you in a different light with this kind of recognition.'

She has always prided herself on a very high standard of cooking and keeping the customer happy. She has over 25 years experience in cooking for the public and trained just up the road from her restaurant at The Arundell Arms.

Mrs Wilson ran her own catering business before the couple turned their 15th Century home into a restaurant and her husband worked in the construction industry.

Such a commendation from the AA reflects what the Wilsons have been striving for — no short cuts and everything made in the kitchen from bread to ice creams and sauces to truffles.

The ingredients they use are local sourced as much as possible and Margaret has been quoted as saying: 'Devon is a feast of wonderful produce, with its beef farming and fishing, clotted cream and cider, Plymouth gin and lesser known Garland cheese.'

During the past three years she has written two, well-received, cookery books, featuring and promoting produce from Devon and Cornwall.

Tinhay Mill, which was opened on the couple's 30th wedding anniversary and employs six staff, has also been awarded four diamonds for its accommodation.

Since it opened, the restaurant has gained a reputation for outstanding cuisine and warm and friendly atmosphere.