Big Luke's has huge appetite for expansion.

A dynamic couple with ambitious plans to expand their family-run restaurant group into one of the biggest chains in the North have opened their third restaurant.

Mark and Sharon Harford, from Newcastle, opened their third Big Luke's all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant in Carlisle in the Botchergate area of the city, creating 30 jobs.

A fourth restaurant will open in the new Riverside Quarter in Sunderland in September and two more are planned for Durham and Newcastle over the next two years.

The couple want to inject the Big Luke's brand into the whole of the North and hope to have more than 20 restaurants in towns and cities over the next 10 years.

Owner Sharon Harford said: "The idea for Big Luke's came from our frustration at not being able to find restaurants where children were welcome and that offered great food. Whenever we visited restaurants our main aim was to make sure the children were happy. If they were happy then we could enjoy our meal more.

"We want families to feel they can come to Big Luke's and the children will be made to feel like their meal is an experience."

The restaurant has an American pioneering feel and has brought pounds 300,000 investment to the area, which is fast-becoming the leisure centre of Carlisle with restaurants, cinemas, hotels, cafAs and bars opening and reviving a once-neglected part of the town centre.

Big Luke's move has been prompted by the popularity of its two MetroCentre restaurants.

Mr Harford said: "There is so much happening in Carlisle at the moment and we are excited to be a part of it. The people have made us feel so welcome this weekend and we have strong hopes it will continue."