The Westmorland Gazette is delighted to announce the winners of its first Food & Drink Awards.

The Watermill at Ings taking the best pub meal' accolade, and Kendal's Castle Dairy winning the fine dining restaurant' category.

This year's competition (formerly known as Eatery of the Year') was extended to two categories to reflect the diversity of dining establishments in the newspaper's circulation area.

We also asked readers to vote for their favourite meal from those establishments taking part in this special Gazette promotion in return for a fab foodie treat.

The winning reader vote in the restaurant' category, Mrs P. Cox from Kendal, will be able to go on the course of her choice at the superb new Lucy Cooks cookery school at Staveley Woodmill Yard (see www.lucysofambleside.co.uk), which has just been opened by culinary entrepreneur Lucy Nicholson of Lucy's of Ambleside. The day-course, including lunch, is worth more than £130.

Meanwhile, the winning reader vote in the pub' category, Miss J. Frost from High Biggins, Kirkby Lonsdale, can look forward to a meal for two at the Watermill thanks to this category sponsor, www.enjoyyourmeal.co.uk, the exciting new website aimed at promoting good pub food which has been launched by Sharon Wood and Jon Green from Penny Bridge.