ONE of the area's best-loved restaurant is looking to the ocean ahead of its May reopening - with a new menu which will 'champion the best of local and British sustainable seafood'.

The Station Kitchen in West Bay will be reopening as a seafood restaurant on on Wednesday, May 19, subject to lockdown measures sticking to the government's forecasted 'roadmap'.

The restaurant's new menu will have more of a focus on seafood - with whole fish, crab and lobster, along with seafood platters, oysters, classic fish pies and beer-battered fish and chips.

However, a steak option will remain on the menu alongside a vegan dish and options on the children's menu.

The restaurant is located on the edge of the platform of the old West Bay Station, serving up meals for customers on its First World War train carriage.

It has previously won rave reviews - last year restaurant critic for The Telegraph and Masterchef William Sitwell praised the venue, describing it as a 'happy place, with great service, and a breath of fresh air’. He gave it an impressive four out of five stars.

Claire Moore, who co-owns the Station Kitchen with her husband Ross, said: "We are really excited to announce that the Station Kitchen will reopen on Wednesday 19th May as a seafood restaurant.

"Seafood has always been our first love and we will now be championing the best of local and British sustainable seafood.

"We’re so looking forward to welcoming everyone back on board this summer."

Both the newly refurbished station house and platform are dog friendly, should any customers wish to bring a four-legged friend.

The Station Kitchen has been offering a takeaway service during the latest lockdown thanks to the addition of the platform’s ticket office.

With restrictions are set to loosen in April, the restaurant will be offering 'alfresco style' dining on the platform on selected dates from Friday, April 16 - serving sandwiches, burgers, seafood, cocktails and snacks, alongside the full Ticket Office menu. Pre-booked afternoon teas will be available from 12-5pm, weather permitting.

To make a booking, visit www.stationkitchen.co.uk