BUSINESS owners in Stokesley have helped employment by recruiting 12 new full and part-time staff members.

From Tuesday, the School House Caf in College Square, Stokesley, will extend its opening hours to serve Mediterranean-influenced dishes between 5pm and 9pm from Tuesday to Saturday.

The owners aim to create a contemporary caf environment where, weather permitting, customers can dine al fresco on the adjoining patio.

Diners will be able to select from a frequently-changing menu of starters, main courses and desserts, prepared by chef Martin Sheekey and served by manager Lisa Grant and her team.

A range of draught and bottled beers, wines, spirits and speciality teas and coffees will also be on offer to diners.

Pat Miller, who owns the School House Caf with Shaun Reading, said: "We have re-created the caf culture that millions of people enjoy every day throughout Continental Europe.

"After Martin had responded to our advertisement for an evening chef, Shaun and I visited the local hostelry where he was cooking and we were simply knocked out by his creativity. We felt he was the perfect person to help us realise our ambitions."

The School House Caf, which opened in September, serves snacks, light meals, patisserie and drinks 9am-5pm on Mondays, 9am-9pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 11am-3.30 on Sundays.

For more details, call the caf on 01642 713391