STAFF members and guests at a Dales hotel were taken by surprise when celebrity chef and school dinner campaigner Jamie Oliver popped in for dinner.

Paul and Helen Klein, owners of The Blue Lion in East Witton, near Leyburn, said they had been told to expect an important guest as part of a party of nine for dinner, bed and breakfast on Thursday - but were completely taken aback when Mr Oliver arrived.

Lesley Barlow, marketing consultant for the hotel, said: “A regular guest made the booking and hinted that one of the party members would cause a bit of a stir, but when Jamie Oliver walked in staff and guests were quite shocked.”

Mr Klein said: “Having such a renowned chef to feed was a little daunting but our head chef Michael McBride has an outstanding reputation for creating mouthwatering food full of fresh local ingredients.”

Mr Oliver enjoyed a three course meal of pan fried sea bass with artichoke puree, baby onion and thyme foam; slow roasted honey glazed ducking with apple gravy; and a Yorkshire cheeseboard.

Mr Oliver clearly enjoyed his stay at the hotel, and left a message for staff in the comments book which read: “Wonderful night, thank you.”