A NEW chef head has been appointed at celebrity chef Paul Heathcote's flagship Longridge Restaurant.

Hywel Griffith will replace Chris Bell as head chef later this month.

He previously worked at the Ynyshir Hall Hotel in Wales.

Owner Paul Heathcote said he hoped the new appointment could see it win back its Michelin Star status.

He said: “Hywel has quality-starred experience and his cooking skills are at a level that I would expect and we share the same passion for food.”