TV show pair open Charles Wells pub

Two contestants from Raymond Blanc's BBC2 programme The Restaurant have taken on a Charles Wells lease.

Mother and son team Nicola and Tom Nickerson have opened the Boot in Langford, Bedfordshire.

The pair paid an undisclosed sum for the lease and plan to launch the business, called Season at the Boot in January. In The Restaurant show keen cook Nicola headed up the kitchen and Tom took charge of front of house.

Nicola said: "Tom has had some experience working for Greene King but I hadn't worked in the trade. The programme taught us a lot about running a restaurant and Raymond's passion was inspiring. ​

"We have decided to employ a head chef - David Siddles - and all our food is local and seasonal. I look after the business side of running a pub."

The menu features caramalised onion and goats cheese tartlet with balsamic syrup (£5.95); roast pheasant (£13.95); butternut squash risotto; and double layer chocolate mousse.

The pub holds 50 covers and Nicola said the slogan is "relaxed dining and drinking"​.