EATING OUT: TO celebrate my mum's birthday the task was set to find a place to eat in Wootton Bassett that was both in walking distance from my parents' house and fairly reasonable in price.

As Wootton Bassett hosts at least a dozen pubs, this was not difficult.

We chose the Town Local as it was once a regular haunt of mine and still is with my parents being just a ten minute walk home.

This quiet friendly pub, just off the High Street, was recently taken over and has been totally refurbished by the new owners. Improvements include a new kitchen and total redecoration throughout the main bar and restaurant.

Now it is bright and airy with greens and creams although the pub's traditional feel remains. The walls are still decorated with old framed railway prints.

After booking the table for six people only five of us were able to make the meal. We set about ordering the starters and after much deliberating Caroline went safe with garlic bread at £1.50 while her partner Rob chose prawn cocktail, priced at £3.75.

My husband Paul went all out and chose breaded garlic mushrooms, served with garlic and herb dip, for £3.75. Mum chose the deep fried camembert served with cranberry jelly, £3.75 and I indulged in the most expensive starter, Japanese king prawns with a garlic dip, at £4.35.

Caroline, expecting just a few slices of garlic bread, received an enormous portion and promptly offered some for every one else to try.

Paul's mushrooms were large and juicy and I couldn't resist trying them. Mum's camembert were two generous portions of breaded cheese with buttered brown bread and salad.

After ordering a bottle of Jacobs Creek Chardonnay, at £7.25, Caroline and mum both opted for the mushroom stroganoff served with rice at £6.35, while Rob went for lamb chops with sauteed potatoes for £6.75. Paul had his old faithful fillet steak with chips at £11.35 and I chose surf and turf, scampi and steak with chips, from the specials board.

To Caroline's surprise her stroganoff had another giant-sized portion of garlic bread. Paul's fillet steak was lean and cooked to perfection.

My steak was a little tough but the scampi were large and succulent. Rob, a man of few words, said his lamb chops were good and hey looked appetising.

By the time the sixth member of our party arrived we decided that we really did not have room for puddings, but inquired anyway. The Town Local only has cold desserts and a variety of sundaes. Three of us chose to have a cappucino to finish off. The meal, a round of drinks and a bottle of wine came to £70.90.

The pub's cosy atmosphere might not suit large parties, this is a place better suited to couples wanting to enjoy good value food in a romantic setting.

Michelle Bullock