MEDITERRANEAN food will be available at a new exclusive restaurant in Blackburn due to open next week.

The Woodlands, Preston New Road, Blackburn has completely refurbished the former Greek eatery to create a candle-lit restaurant.

Debra Warner, 37, licensee said: "We are expecting it to be busy."

The basement decor is made up of the original stone and solid marble floors and will hold up to 35 diners.

The bar area, well known as part of the Revidge Run pub crawl at Christmas, is due to close for renovation work totalling thousands of pounds in April.

The drinking area already contains a state-of-the-art plasma screen TV and will host acoustic guitarist Jason Hart to celebrate St Patrick's Day on March 17.

Debra said: " We have had to time the restaurant launch with the renovations of the pub so as not to lose too much business."

Debra and her fiance hope to be married in Switzerland when all the work on the pub and restaurant is complete.

The Woodlands also comprises several rooms which are currently being upgraded.