IT'S known locally as the 'Pepper Pot' - now a historic monument on top of a hill is set to spice up a unique fine dining experience.

A pop-up Michelin-starred restaurant is going to be placed inside the Sir John Barrow monument, on Hoad in Ulverston, for Taste Cumbria Ulverston festival this month.

The popular food festival returns to the town on Saturday May 27 and Sunday May 28, and on the the Friday night of May 27 the famous town landmark will play host to Kevin Tickle, of Michelin-starred Grasmere restaurant The Forest Side.

The Forest Side team will cook at the venue and serve just 10 invited guests who will be given an exclusive dining experience at a round table inside the monument. The guests are set to be people from local businesses.

The award-winning chef said: "I love a new challenge so cooking in such a unique location is going to be fantastic. We know we can do something very special and the fact this will just be the start of some new and special Taste Cumbria pop-up restaurants in Ulverston is incredibly exciting for all my team."

Festival organiser, Anna Lyttle, of CN Events, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to put Taste Cumbria on the map, and this year is no exception.

"Using Hoad as a pop-up restaurant is really exciting - we think this is the first time it’s been done. It’s great that Kevin is up for the challenge – and who wouldn’t want to eat the food of a Michelin-starred chef in such an iconic location."

Though numbers will be limited this year, it is hoped this will prove to be a showcase for the festival with a full-blown pop-up restaurant at next year’s Taste Cumbria Ulverston event.

On the Saturday night, the team behind Another Fine Fest, Ulverston’s annual multi-arts and music festival will be hosting an open mic comedy competition at the Laurel and Hardy Museum. All aspiring comedians are welcome, with free entry for those willing to take to the stage, while guest tickets cost just £5, available on the door or in advance via Facebook.

Dave Crossley, organiser of Another Fine Fest, added: “It’s great that we are able to offer some Saturday evening entertainment for the large crowds here for Taste Cumbria. We have always enjoyed the festival and, since we are both hosting events on the same weekend, it makes total sense to partner up."