A FAMILY-RUN business is celebrating their hard work after winning a prestigious award.

The Old Yard Tapas Bar on Bondgate, Darlington, began this week on a high note after winning Best Restaurant in North, in the England Business Awards 2019.

The restaurant first received best restaurant in the County Durham region, before going on to scoop the grand prize which covered Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumberland.

Owner George Turnbull said it was the first time receiving an award for the restaurant since he took over from his father, who started the business in 1995.

Mr Turnbull attended this week's award ceremony at York Racecourse with his partner Rebecca Poad, manager at the restaurant, Jay Whitehouse, assistant manager, and their head chef, James Clarke. Not present was general manager, James Buxton, who has been with the restaurant for over ten years.

Mr Turnbull said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the staff for their hard work and our customers for their loyalty.

"I would also like to thank my Dad, as none of this would have been possible without his vision and hard work.

"The team and I will do our best to keep up the reputation he created and continue moving the business forward.

"To win the award is a huge honour. We’re so pleased that people enjoy our food, drinks and atmosphere and we have been recognised for what we do."

The Old Yard Tapas Bar now also provides outside catering and has been a part of the Pease Pudding Market and will take part in the Festival of Ingenuity.