A SEAFOOD restaurant in Arlingham has been officially ranked as the best in the south.

The Old Passage, which sits on the banks of the River Severn, has been rated as the best seafood restaurant in the south in the Food Awards England.

This comes in the same month as owner Sally Pearce celebrates a decade in the business.

Sally opened The Old Passage on October 22 2007 with the aim of bringing in fresh seafood from Cornwall five days a week.

“It’s been a fantastic month for us at The Old Passage,” said Sally, who now runs the restaurant with her head chef Jon Lane and front of house manager Rosita Redwood.

“Celebrating our 10-year anniversary is very special, we have changed very little in the 10 years and remain committed to serving the freshest and best quality fish and seafood in the area.

“This seems to have worked because people who love good food and quality seafood seek us out.

“To win the award as well has been the icing on the cake.

“In 2014 we were finalists in our category, but we’ve never won it before – the whole team here is thrilled.”

The restaurant is known for its stunning Fruit de Mer plates, filled with oysters, mussels, lobster and a variety of other shellfish, which at certain times of the year need to be pre-ordered.

It is also famed for its ‘Bore Breakfasts’ where people can enjoy delicious breakfast options, whilst watching the Severn Bore – a natural phenomenon which creates a spectacular tidal wave on the river.

Head chef Jon Lane takes great pride in using sustainably sourced fish and shellfish.

The menu varies with the season along with the availability of fish.