IT will be a family affair for Michelin star chef James Sommerin, a Pontypool resident, as he opens his restaurant on Christmas Day.

On Thursday [December 25] he will open his eatery in Penarth, near Cardiff - Restaurant James Sommerin - at noon offering a six course tasting menu.

Joining him in the kitchen will be his wife, Louise, and teenage daughter, Georgia - a student at West Mon Schoo -

Middle daughter Angharad, 11, will also be helping out front of house and four-year-old Elin will be making herself busy where needed.

James said: "We were asked by so many people over the past couple of months since we opened here in Penarth if we would be open on Christmas day that I eventually bowed to pressure. I must say though I didn't need much persuading.

"All the staff are delighted and now we just can't wait for our first ever Restaurant James Sommerin Christmas Day guests to arrive. The rest of my family also are very excited, especially my three girls, who are really looking forward to welcoming people to 'our' restaurant on Christmas day."

West Mon pupil Georgia, 15, said: "I love to be in the kitchen and to work alongside dad and to see how he creates the food. I am hoping to go to college after my GCSEs and although I love working as a chef I also like interior design and photography."

Last orders will be at 2.30pm and James say there will be no rush to get diners out of the restaurant.

The restaurant will come alive again in the late afternoon and evening when James and Louise will entertain some 20 family members and staff to a second Christmas dinner celebration in the restaurant.