THE Rick Stein restaurant was a jewel in the crown of Marlborough's tourism strategy.

It featured prominently on marketing the town as a must-see stop off on the Great West Way tourist trail.

And the chef had even signed up as a tourism ambassador for the route.

Marlborough's tourism officer Belinda Richardson says the restaurant closure will be felt.

"Since opening here in beautiful Lloran House, four years ago, the restaurant had proved an increasingly popular spot with both locals and visitors from further afield," she said.

"The reason it went down so well was that not only did it give us all an opportunity to eat fabulous seafood in our landlocked county, but also it included locally sourced meat and game dishes on its menu, in keeping with Wiltshire’s farming heritage.

Rick Stein’s recent decision to support the Great West Way initiative, by becoming an “Ambassador”, had been cause for much celebration – certainly, their presence on this innovative touring route will be a loss."