An award-winning Huddersfield restaurant owner has taken over a neighbouring eaterie.

Eric Paxman - who runs Eric’s in Lindley - has added La Cocina to his portfolio.

And he says the latest acquisition will be taking on an entirely different look, name and format.

There will also be a jobs boost for the area. Chef-owner Mr Paxman is looking to take on up to 15 people as part of the venture.

Confirming rumours of the takeover, he said: “It’s true, but it’s very early days and I don’t want to go into too much detail at this stage.

“It’s a brand new venture for me and it’s going to be something completely different to Eric’s - all very intriguing.

Take a look at the food and interior at Eric's

“It will have to be different. To have two similar restaurants on the same street wouldn’t make sense.”

Mr Paxman aims to open the new restaurant by the end of January. “It will have a different name,” he said. “It has been decided but I’m not making it public just yet.

La Cocina in Lindley

“This was an opportunity which arose and I took it. It’s all very exciting.”

New jobs which will be available include a head chef and restaurant manager for La Cocina and recruiting is also taking place at Eric’s.

What did we make of Eric's when we reviewed it earlier this year? Find out here

La Cocina opened on Lidget Street in 2012 serving Mediterranean/tapas-style food alongside a contemporary British a la carte menu.

Eric’s was launched in 2010, offering fine dining and has gone on to scoop a number of awards.

Mr Paxman said the restaurant has just been in the last five nominations for Welcome to Yorkshire best restaurant. “We didn’t win, but we were in very exalted company,” he said.

Last weekend, Eric’s was also among the Sunday Times top ten Yorkshire restaurants. “That was incredible,” said Mr Paxman. “It really made my day.”