IF a large number of you get together to eat out, it helps if you can book a table, particularly if it's a busy evening.

With elderly people in your party, waiting in the crowded bar of a pub or eatery till one comes free, does not really get the night off to the best of starts.

Thank goodness then for those establishments who will happily reserve you your table, such as the Dog and Otter in Great Harwood.

It was our destination, therefore, for a get-together when family travelled north from Devon for an early Christmas celebration.

There was plenty of room to accommodate us in a relaxed and cheerful dining area, that is away from the bar and offers an extensive menu, supplemented by daily specials.

Our choice of starters ranged from mum's melon with seasonal berries, which was colourful and healthy, to my very tasty, buttered Morecambe Bay shrimps, served on a slice of ciabatta toast and my sister's deep fried brie, which received approval.

We all chose differently again for our main course, with my niece opting for a weight-watching yet substantial dish of salmon and cod fillets and my husband a fish pie, which came with large meaty chunks of fish, covered with a light and fluffy mash.

My sister went for the hearty venison casserole, with ale and port gravy, which was just the thing for a cold blustery night - and for dipping your chips!

Top marks, by the way, to the young waiter who took our order and then remembered our individual choices!

FOOD 8 DRINK 8 SERVICE 9 ATMOSPHERE 7 VALUE 8

Dog And Otter is on Cliffe Lane, Great Harwood.