A POPULAR chef at The New Inn, in Coleford has retired after 25 years.

During his career as a chef, Nigel Seward has worked at a number of places including The Mare & Foal at Yeoford, the University of Exeter and The Devon Motel.

Nigel has also been a chef at The Lamb Inn at Sandford, The New Inn at Alphington and The Red Lion at Shobrooke which were all family-run pubs.

During his time at The New Inn in Coleford Nigel has enjoyed working for three different landlords.

He said: "The work is physically hard especially lifting heavy pots and being on my feet for so long.

"I love the work, but I’m due for a knee operation which will take a long recovery time and I think it’s only fair on everyone if I take this opportunity to retire.

"I have a few projects planned and will be spending more time with my family.

Carol and George Cowie, current landlords at the New Inn said: "Nigel has been a terrific asset to the business and we were lucky he stayed on after we took over the pub.

"He will be missed at the Coleford pub where he has become famous for his hog roasts, particularly the Halloween hog roast and customers will remember him in fancy dress costumes behind the hog roast machine.

"The hog roasts have been very popular and we have about six each year and New Years Eve was Nigel’s speciality.

"We plan to continue the hog roasts with the new chef.

"We have some great memories of Nigel and he will be sadly missed - we are hoping he will pop in for a pint from time-to-time."