A FINE dining restaurant has closed its doors.

The owners of DH1, in The Avenue, Durham city, said they made the decision due to circumstances beyond their control.

A statement posted by owners Stephen and Helen Hardy on their website said: "It is with much sadness and a heavy heart that we must announce the closure of Restaurant DH1.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the support that you have given us over the past four years.

"We'd also like to thank our wonderfully loyal staff who have always given their best to the business (a lot of whom have been with us since day one!)

"We couldn't have done it without any of you.

"Both myself (Helen) and Stephen have enjoyed the wonderful journey and we're incredibly sad that it has come to an end. Due to circumstances beyond our control we have had to make the hardest decision possible."

The restaurant, which specialised in seasonal ingredients, opened in 2014 and in 2015 was named in the Waitrose Good Food Guide.

It was housed in Farnley Tower, a Victorian building which is also home to a four star guesthouse.