Jake Perry is new head chef at Ferryman Inn, Lymington

Jake Perry is in charge of the kitchen at the Ferryman Inn, formerly the Waggon and Horses, in Undershore Road, Lymington.

Reputed to have been a pub since the 1600s, The Ferryman is being run by a new team led by Katie Lockyer.

Jake graduated from washing dishes at his mother's Cornish pub to working in restaurants in France and London before landing at job at Marco Pierre White’s The Yew Tree, a 17th country restaurant and pub at Highclere.

The Ferryman Inn, Lymington.

Dubbed the first celebrity chef, White was only 32 when he became the first British chef - and the youngest at the time - to be awarded three Michelin stars.

Over the years he has trained several chefs who have since become household names, including Heston Blumenthal.

After leaving The Yew Tree, Jake landed a job as a private chef in Dubai.

He was in London when a catch-up meeting with Katie Lockyer, with whom he used to work, resulted in him taking up his new role at Lymington.

A Ferryman spokesperson said: "Customers can expect to see Perry's handiwork across the board; from seasonal ‘signature’ favourites to classic dishes with a twist - all of which will be made using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible."

Marco Pierre White

Jake added: "I'm delighted we have such amazing produce here on our doorstep.

"Fresh produce, sourced through local suppliers, means we buy the best ingredients, at the best time to put them on your plate.”

The Ferryman overlooks the Lymington River and is just down the road from Wightlink's cross-Solent ferry terminal.

Over the years the building has been used as a halfway house, with people living on the mainland meeting up with friends and relatives from the Isle of Wight.

One man drove down from Derbyshire on Mother’s Day and Christmas “pressie swaps” have taken place in the bar.

Part of the building is reputedly haunted by Henry Card, a 38-year-old gamekeeper who accidentally shot himself on the premises on September 5, 1893.