AN award-winning chef aims to put a newly refurbished Carnforth pub back on the culinary map.

Graham Aimson, 40, is the latest addition to the team at the Royal Station Hotel.

Mr Aimson won awards for his pies when he worked at Morecambe Football Club. His reputation was so well known that the owners of the pub, Glen Pearson and Maggie Dainty, couldn’t wait to snap him up.

Mr Pearson said: “Now the majority of the refurbishment is done it’s all about growing the professional team and getting Graham on board was one of my main aims. He’s ambitious and he likes a challenge and that’s what we need.”

As well as revolutionising the current menu, Mr Aimson intends on introducing fine dining in the restaurant and later on in the year the Hotel Bar will be transformed into a Tapas Bar.

Mr Aimson said: “I want to put this place on the map for great local food and one of the ways I want to do this is by using local produce. I have been working on the menus and as well as offering great home-cooked pub food for all the family we will be offering a gourmet menu.”

Mr Pearson and Miss Dainty bought the landmark hotel in 2016 and have been bringing it back to life. Originally they aimed to plough half a million pounds into the refurbishment, but have said the cost of the project has now risen to nearer £1m.