A KIRKBY Lonsdale café has received a top accolade at a prestigious national awards ceremony.

John and Renata Strange, owners of The Crossing Point Café, went home with the gold award for 'Independent Café of the Year' at this year's Café Life Awards.

The couple was the only eatery in Cumbria nominated for an award at the glittering ceremony in London.

"We are absolutely over the moon to have been awarded gold in our category," said Mr Strange. "Just being nominated was such an honour, so to be recognised in this way is amazing.

"We were ecstatic when we heard that we had won gold, and it felt particularly special given the level of some of the cafés that we were competing against."

The Crossing Point Café, on Market Square, opened its doors in November 2014. In the two years since its opening, the café has cemented itself as a firm favourite among visitors to Kirkby Lonsdale and locals alike.

“We had such a great night at the awards ceremony and met some really lovely people," said Mrs Strange. "Since the news has been announced, our phones haven’t stopped with emails and messages of congratulations.

"We would both like to thank everyone for their amazing support and we are so proud to have represented Cumbria and helped to put it on the map as a real foodie destination!”

The café is rated number three on Trip Advisor, ranked only behind two restaurants, making it the highest rated café in the town.

Offering more than just café fare, The Crossing Point also plays host to popular Wednesday ‘Winesday’ evenings, and the owners recently added an extra dimension to their offering with a wine and cigar shop.