A NEW Thai restaurant has sprung up in Evesham offering traditionally cooked and servedTaiwanes food.

Thai Lotus, in Port Street, opened on June 26 and offers a lunch and dinner menu as well as authentic Thai beers and takeaways.

Run by two couples Graham and Hong Fancutt and Mal and Noi Kaewkhamsorn, the kitchen is headed up by chef Plong who was originally from Udontani in the north east of Thailand.

In his later years he moved to Bangkok to follow his passion for cooking, starting work as a wok chef but after years of training and honing his skills he quickly became qualified as head chef and after moving to the UK in 2004, has worked in London including Saim Thai, near Victoria, Thai Hoo central London and Horsham.

Mr Fancutt, of Honeybourne, said it had always been the dream of his wife Hong to open up a restaurant.

"My wife wanted to open one for a long time," he said. "The premises became available and we thought why not, there's room for another Thai in Evesham. We thought we would give it a go.

"Thursday, Friday and Saturday have gone very well. We're very pleased. The feedback we've had is very good."

The restaurant is open daily from noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10.30pm. For details, call 01386 423341.