FOODIES in the Cotswolds can get a taste of the Mediterranean with the opening of a new Italian restaurant.

Tatty Bunting, on the B4450 just outside Kingham, offers an authentic Italian menu including classic pizza and pasta dishes along with salads and a selection of starters.

Visitors can also enjoy a selection of breakfast and lunch items, afternoon teas and a children's menu.

Run by Rachael and her husband Ben Cochrane-Edwards, the couple opened the restaurant on April 25 after piloting the dishes to guests of their holiday accommodation, Bluewood Lodges.

Heading up the kitchen are chefs Matt Hanley, who has previously worked at Daylesford, and Michelle Bentley, who has also worked at the Feathers, in Woodstock.

Mrs Cochrane-Edwards said they decided to open an Italian after seeing a gap in the market in the area.

"We decided Italian was something that was really lacking where we are," she said. "There's a lot of fine dining in the area. But a lot of people that have come have been families with small children.

"That's why we've gone down the pizza route. There's not much around for families with small children that are open early enough.

"We've done really well so far with families early on then we get another sitting later on for adults."

The mother-of-three said she wanted a change from being a trader after having children and went into the holiday accommodation business 10 years ago.

And so far, the new restaurant has gone down well with her holiday guests and tourists alike.

"It's my first restaurant venture," she said. "So far we've had brilliant feedback, people like it and they like the atmosphere."

Tatty Bunting is open from 9am Monday to Saturday, with last orders for food at 9pm, and Sunday from 11am, with last orders for food at 3pm.