A couple who met while working in the catering trade are breathing new life into a coastal restaurant.

Husband and wife Simon and Andrea Shimmon have overseen a major refurbishment of the former Wheelstop restaurant in Scratby, near Great Yarmouth and, this monrh, reopened it as the East Coast Restaurant.

They are hoping the new look restaurant on Scratby Road will prove popular with locals as well as holidaymakers. Mr Shimmon, originally from Woodbridge in Suffolk, has been working in kitchens since he was a teenager and, together with his wife, will be serving up homemade favourites with family diners in mind.

The 100-seater restaurant will employ around 10 part time staff from around the region.

'We are really excited about this new venture' said Mrs Shimmon.

'We ran the Chequers in Bressingham for almost 10 years and have always worked in the catering trade. I started working in restaurants in Luton when I was 18 and that's where I met Simon.'

After leaving Chequers - a grade II listed premise near Diss that was owned by Enterprise Inns, Mr Shimmon worked as a chef in Norwich while Mrs Shimmon was in school kitchens. However, the enterprising couple missed rural life and started looking for a new adventure.

'Years ago a friend of ours said that, one day, he would back us in our own place,' said Mr Shimmon.

'When this place came up and we all liked the look of it, we decided to go for it.'

The Shimmons, who live in Filby, have redesigned the dining area, put decking out the front, installed a new kitchen and planted flowers to add a splash of colour, hoping to entice passing motorists.

Talking about the general state of the restaurant and pub trade, Mrs Shimmon said: 'I think a good place will always hold its own.'

'I think there needs to be more independent pubs and restaurants,' added Mr Shimmon.

'The big chains can be greedy and they can suffocate the market.'