THE Flying Dutchman caf and food takeaway at Leominster has taken off.

The owners, the Geerlings family, this week opened a plush 60-seat restaurant in former Job Centre premises upstairs in the same building.

Transformation of the austere first floor offices off Corn Square has cost many thousands of pounds. "I've spent my pension!" said Jo Geerlings.

Jo launched the original Corn Street caf 23 years ago with her Dutch-born husband Louis. The business name was inspired by Louis 'in action'.

"He is always whizzing around with a ham in one hand and a tray of pizzas in the other," said Jo.

The couple, who run the business with 24-year-old son Max and a team of 13 workers, have taken on new chef Geoff Wallis for the restaurant.

The new restaurant, is to open six days a week.