AN award-winning north Cumbrian pub and restaurant has been forced to stop serving food after its kitchen team walked out.

Bosses at The Pentonbridge Inn, which was refurbished in October last year, were forced to cancel bookings and transport diners to other restaurants in the area when its head chef Gary McDermott and three other members of kitchen staff walked out last Friday night.

One diner told The Cumberland News: ""We stayed at the Pentonbridge Inn on Friday night. When we came down for dinner we were told there was none. The chef and all his kitchen staff had just walked out."

A statement released to The Cumberland News, on behalf of owners Gerald and Margo Smith, said: "On the evening of Friday 30th November, we were forced to close the kitchen at Pentonbridge Inn with immediate effect following the unexpected departure of four members of our kitchen team.

"As we had no notice of this walkout, we were forced to rearrange hospitality where we possibly could for those guests who had reservations for that evening.

"This involved arranging transport to other local restaurants. Naturally, this has been incredibly disappointing for guests and we offer all those affected our unreserved apologies.

"The kitchen at Pentonbridge Inn is currently closed while we make alternative staffing arrangements and we are in touch with all guests affected by this situation.

"Since opening in 2017, Pentonbridge Inn has been recognised nationally for its outstanding hospitality and we are confident that we will continue to offer these exceptional levels of quality and service.”

The pub is still open for drinks and people can still stay in the rooms and have breakfast but no other meals are being served.

In a statement on Facebook the owners said: "We are so very sorry to have to disappoint people and disrupt our customers’ plans, particularly at this time of year."

The pub won the prestigious "Newcomer of the Year" César Award in October. It had hoped to strive towards achieving a Michelin star.

Handed out by the writers of the Good Hotel Guide, who published their 2019 guide, the César Awards are billed as the "Oscars of the hotel industry".

Mr McDermott, who is Michelin star trained, replaced Jake and Cassie White in September. The couple launched the business in September 2017 but left in May for personal reasons.

The produce used by Pentonbridge Inn's kitchen is supplied by the garden at nearby Netherby Hall.

Pentonbridge Inn was also named Best Newcomer in the Cumbria Life Food and Drink Awards in March.