VILLAGERS in Lyng will be able to raise a glass to a new lease of life at their local pub, as well as a dash of television glamour. New landlords took over the Fox and Hounds two weeks ago, and it has a £300,000 extension in the pipeline to add new kitchens and a 120-seat restaurant to the pub.

VILLAGERS in Lyng will be able to raise a glass to a new lease of life at their local pub, as well as a dash of television glamour.

New landlords took over the Fox and Hounds two weeks ago, and it has a £300,000 extension in the pipeline to add new kitchens and a 120-seat restaurant to the pub.

And to help Dean Critoph and his partner Clio Charrot-Hickling settle in, BBC2's An Island Parish chef Paul Websdale has been offering a helping hand.

Mr Critoph is hoping to use a few of the chef's recipes, from his book, The Island Ingredient, published earlier this month, on the pub menu.

Mr Critoph said: “We are really going for the food side and will be taking on some of his recipes. He helped us out for a few weeks with a

view to coming back in October.

“The extension will include a massive new beer garden and a raised patio area.”

Mr Websdale had worked with Mr Critoph before and is Miss Hickling's sister's partner.

Mr Critoph has also worked at the Parson Woodforde at Weston Longville and he was brought up in nearby Weston Green.

The pub is owned by Enterprise Inns, which is seeking planning permission for the extension.