THOSE looking for award-winning pie and mash with a sea view now have a new spot to try in west Dorset.

Beach and Badger is located in Marine Parade above the National Trust shop on Lyme Regis seafront and opened to hungry customers on Good Friday.

Owner Jane Croft, a Lyme Regis local, said it has been her dream to open up a physical sit-down eatery in the west Dorset town.

She told The News that she wanted to offer something different to the array of other businesses in Lyme as she decided to go down the pie and mash route.

Beach and Badger is no stranger to the seaside town - it is established as a popular delivery and catering service for its charcuterie and seafood platters, which are popular at weddings and other events.

The name derives from the location of the new business and Ms Croft's dog, Badger, who has kept the building team company as they worked on the new eatery.

Beach and Badger enjoys stunning views along the length of Dorset's Jurassic Coast and features both inside and outside seating to suit all weathers.

As well as award-winning Pieminster pies served with mash potato and mushy peas, the menu also features 'the best sausage rolls you will have in your life', according to Ms Croft.

She also plans to bake cakes and promises to offer 'really good coffee' to customers, with the menu set to evolve and update over time.

"I started last July with the delivery business and it was just going to be cream teas and then I started doing the charcuterie and seafood platters and it just took off," Ms Croft said.

"I also do catering for weddings, funerals and parties and for 18 months I was trying to get the keys to this property."

For a year and a half Ms Croft has been designing how her new eatery will look and after a long build, it is finally ready ahead of the busy tourist season.

Beach and Badger will be open seven days a week from 9am to 7pm but plans to open earlier and later when events are on in town, such as the upcoming Fossil Festival and fireworks night.

"The vantage point we have got is the best view in the town," Ms Croft said. "Now it has come to fruition I am chuffed.

"It was a meeting room before and just was not being used."

On her first few days of trade, Ms Croft added: "It has been really banging. The pies - you can't beat them.

"We are just excited now - we started off slowly and will be adding more flavours and things and eventually we will be doing delivery. 

"There is only one other delivery service in Lyme and that is the Chinese."

Ms Croft described the build process as 'exhausting' but she was 'proud' to get Beach and Badger up and running.

"The support from people in Lyme Regis has just been amazing," she added. "We want to offer something different to everybody else. It's going to be a great summer."

For more information on Beach and Badger, visit www.beachandbadger.co.uk