A Thornbury restaurant has been named Restaurant of the Year by The Good Food Guide.

Ronnie's was named best in the country at a ceremony at the British Museum yesterday.

Ronnie Faulkner, owner and chef of the restaurant, which opened in a 17th century building in St Mary Street in 2007, was presented with the award by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal.

The acclaimed restaurant, which stands in the town's shopping centre, had already taken the regional award for the South West to win its place in the national final.

Mr Faulkner said: "We're absolutely delighted.

"We've had such positive feedback from the general public and it's absolutely phenomenal to win this award."

The Good Food Guide editor Elizabeth Carter said: "Independently owned and run restaurants such as Ronnie's are the very antidote to the chain restaurants that dominate our high streets.

"I'm delighted that Ronnie's has won The Good Food Guide's Restaurant of the Year award, as it is a glowing endorsement of Ron Faulkner's skill as a chef and restaurateur.

"His fiercely loyal following is testament to a strong commitment to fresh, local produce, modern food and a genuinely welcoming service."

Mr Faulkner learned how to cook at the age of seven, when his grandmother taught him the basics of the kitchen.

He went on to train in classical French cuisine and patisserie, and worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the UK and Europe under chefs such as Anton Mosimann and Ed Baines.

Evening Post food critic Mark Taylor has championed Ronnie's in our pages.

In his most recent review last September, he said: "Ronnie's isn't just a great find because of its unlikely location.

"Its is simply a great restaurant full stop, and one that easily stands up to the best in Bristol. I can't recommend it highly enough."

More than 23,000 people voted to produce a shortlist of 10 regional winners and The Good Food Guide panel visited them all before choosing one for first prize.

Bristol coffee shop chain Caffe Gusto was named the British Sandwich Association's Coffee Bar Sandwich Retailer of the Year, beating Marks & Spencer and Costa.

Joint owner Michael Berger said: "This is a fabulous award for us. As a growing retailer, the market is very difficult but we have recently opened new shops and are developing our business."

Mark Taylor said last night: "It is a huge award for Bristol and the West Country, and sends out a really good signal because it is a quintessential local neighbourhood restaurant.

"The restaurant scene is dominated by too many big names and chains, so it is great news that an independent, small restaurant can win such a prestigious award.

"Ronnie's is always very unpretentious, and it has got the edge because he runs it in such a hands-on way.

"He goes out and finds the produce himself, talks to the producers and suppliers and has a small team."