THE relaunch of a south Wiltshire pub has given two key employees the opportunity to develop the business and themselves.

The Black Dog at Chilmark's acting manager, Ross Baxter, and chef Clough Dent were both employed through recruitment consultant Sherree Fielding.

She explained that she looks for high calibre staff to fill key positions and Mr Baxter and Mr Dent fitted the bill.

Both have enjoyed successful careers and are aiming to further those careers, as well as taking the business to new heights.

Ms Fielding said both were committed to making the Black Dog special and to creating a relaxed and informal environment.

Mr Baxter knows south Wiltshire well having been stationed at Warminster when he was in the army.

He has also lived in Malta and was first officer on a luxury yacht, which first gave him his interest in the hospitality industry. Returning to Britain he worked for a number of hospitality companies.

He has also been a newscaster and does voiceovers for TV and radio, including the Peugeot adverts and jingles on Chris Tarrant's Capital Radio show.

Mr Dent comes to the Black Dog from the Bedford Hotel in Plymouth for which he earned two Michelin Stars.

He aims to do the same for his new employer.

"I lean towards French cuisine," he said, "And have been given carte blanche to develop the menus as I wish."

Mr Baxter, who has written the wine list himself, explained that the first task at the Black Dog had been to re-fit the bars and return them to a more traditional style and then to make the two restaurants more cosy.

"This is phase one phase two will be staff accommodation and next year we hope to add guest rooms."