A POPULAR Cockermouth restaurant which has welcomed thousands of customers during the past 30 years is on the market.

Colin and Louisa Le Voi have run The Quince and Medlar, a highly successful vegetarian restaurant, since 1989.

Colin said: “We have been very happy at Quince and Medlar over the past 31 years.

"In addition to the restaurant being a wonderful business to run thanks to the support of the local community, it has also been our family home where we have brought up three children and we will treasure the memories we have made during this time.”

The restaurant and four-bedroom accommodation is on the market with Christie and Co for £480,000.

"We are in no rush to sell but have got to that age, Colin will be 60 next year.

"We thought it was time to plan ahead and put the feelers out," said Louisa, 56.

"I was 24 when we started here.

"We would love it to be taken over by a young couple who could bring it forward.

"Colin wants to take up the saxophone and we are both looking forward to more time with family and friends and enjoying time with the grandchildren."

The couple have three grown-up children - Naomi, Georgia and Owen, all of who worked in the restaurant as teenagers, and two grandchildren.

Over the years they have enjoyed sharing people's special celebrations.

"We've had proposals, marriages celebrated and watched families grow in here, it's been lovely to be part of that," said Louisa.

They have run the restaurant pretty much single handedly.

"It's been a wonderful business and it's been nice doing something a bit different.

"It's been great to run the place just the two of us with only occasional help and while bringing up the family too," said Louisa.