THE former general manager one of Simon Rogan's Cartmel establishments has gone his own way and set up shop elsewhere.

John Strange, 35, worked at Rogan and Company for one year and left at the start of November to pursue a dream of his own.

Now John and fiancee Renata Vietoriszova, 27, have opened up the Crossing Point Cafe in Kirkby Lonsdale, an eatery which he said is "all about local produce and fresh food".

"I've been wanting to do this for years, and we just found the right place," he said. "I've been in the industry for years now and I wasn't getting any younger!"

After around a month in business, John said it is already "going really well".

"We knew it would be tough opening at this time of year, feedback has been really good," he added.

John confesses he has a passion for game, and sources his meat from Cartmel Valley Game, George Taylor at Country Harvest, while the cafe also has vegetarian and gluten free options plus a full wine list.

"Influenced by my career, I did the menu myself, although me and the three chefs have tweaked it together."

Hungry visitors can choose between ox tongue on homemade soda bread or Cumberland sausage with champ.

"The whole idea is to have 'game on' evenings, with different things on offer depending on the season."

And while he is sourcing meat locally, John is also interested in foraging and anything available in the county.

The tea is from New Leaf Tea Tasters of Ambleside and the coffee from Cockermouth's Carvetii Coffee.

John, who lives in Kirkby Lonsdale, will be in every day and have the help of his fiancee at the weekend.

He said the name makes reference to the town's crossing point over the River Lune - Devil's Bridge.

"We wanted people to realise that we have the locals in mind."

The Crossing Point Cafe is open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and from 9am to 5pm at the weekend.