A popular Caribbean restaurant in Bristol is reopening today after being closed for a five-month refit.

Plantation on Cheltenham Road has a new green frontage to entice diners inside, where they will find much more space than before, thanks to the removal of a dividing wall.

A small bar has been removed, a bigger bar installed, new toilets built and a chill-out area created upstairs.

Meanwhile, the open kitchen remains, as does owner Beverley Forbes' wish to create a little bit of Caribbean authenticity in Bristol. Copious amounts of rum punch and jerk chicken will still be consumed.

Beverley was working at Plantation until 3.30am yesterday morning putting the finishing touches to her restaurant, where she is also manager and "chief cook and bottle washer".

Beverley, who lives in Montpelier and was born in Bristol to Jamaican parents, said the refit has been stressful but definitely worthwhile.

She said: "When I do something, it will get done.

"You have to be confident, otherwise you will fail.

"A lot of restaurants and bars are closing left, right and centre. But I wanted to up the ante here, to create something new.

"Everything in life is a gamble but I'm confident that this will succeed. I would not have done this if I didn't think it was going to work."