MJs restaurant at The Whitehall Hotel, Darwen has been awarded a Highest Quality Accreditation.

Awarded by the Quality in Tourism board, restaurants have to score more than 80 per cent in a range of criteria relating to food quality and service standards.

Second chef Dominic Taylor, 21, was especially pleased as the inspector sampled a newly-introduced pizza selection from a stone baked oven.

Hotel owner Neil Bullows said: “We are delighted to have received this recognition.”