A NEW restaurant is set to open in September at Ightham Mote, the 14th century moated manor house now owned by the National Trust near Tonbridge.

Menus will feature bistro-style food using regional recipes and local ingredients. It will cater for 60 diners inside with capacity for a further 64 on an outside terrace.

As well as being open during the day, the restaurant will also open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Ightham Mote annually attracts some 100,000 visitors and is currently being renovated as part of a comprehensive programme launched in 1988.

A manager and head chef for the new restaurant are now being recruited.