AN ABERGAVENNY eaterie was named as the best restaurant in Wales in the National Restaurant Awards.

The Hardwick, run by chef Stephen Terry and his wife Joanna, won the accolade at the award ceremony which took place in London on Monday.

The fifth national restaurant awards, held at The Brewery are voted for by a team of 150 chefs, restaurateurs, food critics and journalists.

Mr Terry, 45, who has worked under Marco Pierre White at Harveys and Le Gavroche under Michel Roux Jnr said: He said: “It is nice The Hardwick and the team who work tirelessly have received such recognition from colleagues and peers in the industry.”

The restaurant was also ranked 17th in the top 100 eateries in the UK and was joined by The Walnut Tree at Llandewi Skirrid, run by chef Shaun Hill and William Griffiths, which ranked 19th.

Mr Hill and Mr Griffiths, who runs The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny, bought the restaurant in 2007.

Mr Hill said: ”I am pleased that two restaurants from Monmouthshire are in the top 20, and it would be good to see a few more in future years.”