THE owners of award-winning restaurant Smokey's are looking to the future after their Warminster restaurant was welcomed by diners with open arms.

Despite having to close their Trowbridge branch, Kelly and Simon Llewellyn are glad to be back up and running after their hotly anticipated Warminster restaurant was opened.

"It was really good," Mrs Llewellyn said. "The mayor came and cut the ribbon for us and he was really lovely actually, with a great sense of humour. Once we opened we had phone call after phone call and some people called us from Trowbridge and Westbury asking if we could deliver.

"Unfortunately we can't. But we did manage to take a few orders out on our way home or when the drivers were on their late shifts, just to keep the peace with some of our loyal customers."

The couple, who have had a month to reflect on their business, will be looking to find a new home for the Trowbridge operation, which had to close when the landlord decided not to renew the lease. Their previous restaurant on Stallard Street won numerous awards, being chosen at the Wiltshire Times Takeaway of the Year before going on to win a national title.

Mrs Llewellyn added: "It has been a really tough month for us but I believe everything happens for a reason. It has given us a kick up the backside in a way and although it was devastating at the time to lose the Trowbridge branch, we were able to spend some time with the children and given us an extra push to think of things in a positive way.

"We will of course be keeping the Warminster branch as we always wanted to expand but we will be opening a Trowbridge branch again as soon as we find somewhere suitable and hopefully with a big garden so we can do hog roast nights and themed nights."