MEDIAEVAL banquets are to be staged at Caldicot Castle by the owners of the Michelin-starred The Crown at Whitebrook restaurant.

Multi award winning Crown Hotels and Restaurants have secured a long term catering concession with the castle owners Monmouthshire Council to hold the popular historical events filled with fun, feasting, revelry and music.

The initiative came about when The Crown's Michelin-starred executive chef James Sommerin gave a cookery demonstration at the castle last summer.

Crown Hotels and Restaurants Director, Jonathan Davies revealed the seed was sown at a Back to Business week event staged by the council.

He said: "James Sommerin was giving a chef's demonstration in a marquee in the grounds of the fantastic castle and while there we enquired about the banquets and other functions at the castle.

"One thing led to another and now we're about to launch The Crown at Caldicot Castle which is brilliant and we just can't wait to get started."

Kellie Beirne, Monmouthshire's chief officer for regeneration and culture said: "We're delighted to have been able to award the concession to Crown Hotels and Restaurants a company which has an unrivalled record over the years of consistent delivery of excellence.

The Monmouthshire-based group will also run the castle's tea rooms and manage wedding functions at the idyllic castle set in 55 acres of wooded parklands.