FRIDAY night is now bistro night at Barbon's village store and deli.

John and Jules Natlacen, the couple behind The Churchmouse shop and cafe, say their once-a-week evening menu has really taken off with customers.

Each Friday evening, the rural store is transformed to host the bistro, where a range of small and large plates, puddings and cheeses awaits diners.

The menu changes every week to reflect seasonal produce, and features delicious dishes such as daube of beef, seared loin of cod with ribbons of courgette and fennel, pork belly bites, and gooseberry, honey and elderflower crumble.

The Natlacens spent 12 years running the award-winning Churchmouse Cheeses in Kirkby Lonsdale, and three years ago they came across the village store in Barbon, which was up for sale and, as they described it, "in a sorry state".

Thanks to the couple's expertise, the business has been transformed and now boasts a village store, cafe, deli counter and outside terrace. It is especially renowned for its tiered wedding cheese cakes.

This Friday (January 13) The Churchmouse is to host A Night at the Opera with 23-year-old Maxwell Thorpe from Sheffield - a busker with an amazing voice who has offered to come and sing for his supper.

The bistro opens from 6pm with last orders at 8pm, and there are only 24 covers, so advance booking is recommended by calling 015242-76224.

Larger tables and private parties can be catered for, and in the warmer months the covered terrace allows guests to enjoy drinks and snacks in the early evening sunshine. The venue is fully licensed and serves beers from Kirkby Lonsdale and Skipton breweries, and wines by the bottle and glass.

The Churchmouse cafe is open from 9am to 4.30pm each day (Sundays 3.30pm) and serves freshly ground coffee, scones and bread from Kirkby Lonsdale Bakery, gluten-free triple chocolate brownies and fruity flapjacks, plus coffee and walnut cake and lemon cake baked in Barbon. Local specialities on the menu include Morecambe Bay shrimps, Westmorland ham, Cumbrian goat's cheese and Kirkby Lonsdale Bakery spelt bread.

To see the Friday bistro menu, visit www.facebook.com/churchmousebarbon

www.churchmousecheeses.com