MASTERCHEF winner Mat Follas is closing the Wild Garlic in Beaminster in May.

He has decided to go into partnership with Blandford's Hall and Woodhouse Brewery to run The Talbot, in Iwerne Minster, North Dorset.

He said: "It's time to grow up.

"We've loved being in our home town of Beaminster, but its time to grow the business and The Talbot in Iwerne Minster ticks all the boxes for what we are looking for.

"It has five great rooms that we can let and will have a seven day bar and grill offering great pub and bistro food, as well as a separate space for running our increasingly popular courses in the daytime and an evening restaurant.

"Our customers have asked for more rooms, a more casual, family menu and I'll still be able to provide higher end food in our evening restaurant for more intimate and quieter dining.

"The big challenge is to provide all of these with the same, or better, quality and standards we've achieved to date."

Until May 18 The Wild Garlic continues to trade from Beaminster.

After winning MasterChef in 2009, Mat opened The Wild Garlic on the site of the Pickwicks Pub in Beaminster.

His restaurant was awarded two of the highest ever ratings in The Telegraph (9/10) and The Guardian (9.5/10) as well as being one of a few restaurants in Dorset to gain two AA rosettes and recommendations in The Good Food Guide, The Michelin Guide and Trencherman's Guide.