NORTH Yorkshire is home to one of the top five rated restaurants in the country according to the global review site Trip Advisor.

The Black Swan at Oldstead, near Thirsk, will today be unveiled as the fifth best restaurant in the UK in the 2018 Travellers’ Choice Awards, announced by the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor.

As well as finishing fifth in the UK fine dining restaurant rankings, The Black Swan is also named as the 18th best in Europe.

Taking the top spot in the UK this year is Nottingham’s Restaurant Sat Bains, which also claims fourth place in the world.

Adam’s in Birmingham is the UK’s runner up, while Oxfordshire’s Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons takes third place in the UK.

The coveted title of number one restaurant in the world has gone to Au Crocodile in Strasbourg, France.

The Black Swan is no stranger to success; it previously won the top Fine Dining rating in Trip Advisor’s 2017 awards and was awarded The Best Restaurant in the UK 2018 by The Food and Travel Magazine.

The restaurant’s head chef and co-owner Tommy Banks became the youngest Michelin-starred chef in Britain when he earned a star aged just 24 in 2013.

Three-years-later Mr Banks won a national fanbase after appearing on the Great British Menu television programme which he won in both 2016 and 2017.

He said he was delighted to feature in Trip Advisor's best restaurant list once again.

Mr Banks said: "To be rated so highly again this year is a real testament to the wonderful team we have at the Black Swan.

"Awards that are voted for solely by our guests are the most important. "I am so happy that people like what we do, and as always we will look to improve again in 2019."

Sam Haigh, restaurant manager, added: "I’d like to thank all our guests who have visited us over this last year who have helped us maintain a position in this year's Traveller's Choice Awards.

"The huge increase in custom provided a brilliant challenge for us, but one the team accepted so well.

"They have continued to contribute positively to our guests' experiences, meaning we have retained a position we can all be proud of.

"Well done team!"

TripAdvisor spokesperson, Hayley Coleman, praised the Black Swan’s achievements, saying: "To be named among the UK’s top ten demonstrates the incredible work that the team at The Black Swan at Oldstead are putting in to deliver the best experience to its customers.”