A MEMORIAL service is being held for a former restaurateur from Beaminster.

William Mulligan, who was known as Bill, died peacefully in a nursing home in Clevedon, Somerset.

A service to celebrate his life is being held at Clevedon Baptist Church on October 23 at 3pm.

All old friends are welcome.

Mr Mulligan turned Montague Rumsey’s antique shop at 4 The Square, Beaminster into Pickwick’s Restaurant in the 70s.

In the five years he and his wife ran the restaurant, it became a popular venue and won acclaim from The Good Food Guide, Egon Ronay, Gourmet Magazine and gained a Michelin Star. The building is now known as the Wild Garlic.

Mr Mulligan then opened a delicatessen in Banbury and ran other restaurants in England and California.

As a young man he played rugby for Bath but also enjoyed shooting and fishing.