HARD work has seen a Fence restaurant scoop a business award within five months of opening.

The Fence Gate Inn, Wheatley Lane Road, came under new management in May and reopened with a new look and new menu ten days later. Now it has been been given an award for 'best newcomer' and chef Michael Shaw is delighted.

He said: "We've put a lot of hard work in and it's paid off.

"It's nice to get an award, especially with the time we've been in business. We didn't expect it.

"These are exciting times and I've got a good set of guys working with me."

Michael worked in Switzerland, France and London before setting up in Lancashire and was awarded two Michelin Stars for his restaurant in France.

Michael said: "It's not all about awards, although they do help. It's about quality and consistency. Every new customer is as important as one who has been with me for two or three years.

"If you get it right they will come again so it's important to get it right first time."

Michael produces a seasonal menu and at the moment venison, duck and pigeon are among the dishes tantalising diners' tastebuds.

He said: "It's not just a restaurant, there's bar food if people want. They can just come in and have fish and chips and we just hope it's one of the best fish and chips they have had.

"We're not stopping at this award, there are lots of other things we want to do."

The award was presented by country lifestyle publication Lancashire Life.