A LEADING North East pub is welcoming the changing season with a new autumn menu.

The Blackbird, at Ponteland, prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, with head chef, Ralph Hellens, adding new dishes year-round.

And those heading to the venue can enjoy a selection of new starters, including chicken liver parfait, tempura king prawns, seared scallops, and watermelon, served with cucumber, coriander, crumbled goats cheese, and a sesame and lime dressing.

The menu also features new mains, with a choice of chicken breast, courgette, broad bean and pea tartlet, duck breast, pan fried North Sea halibut, 28 day locally sourced steaks and a pie of the day – prepared by Jesmond artisan bakery, Kennedy and Rhind.

Fans of Asian cuisine can opt for sweet and sour chicken, vegetable or crispy beef noodle boxes, or bao buns filled with sticky pork belly, crispy sweet and sour chicken or panko aubergine.

The pub also offers a variety of sandwiches including BBQ pulled pork, posh fish fingers and sweet potato and falafel wrap, along with parma ham, Moroccan lamb or tomato and roasted red pepper flatbreads.

Those with a sweet tooth can finish their meal with a choice of desserts, such as strawberry pavlova, iced mango parfait, warm chocolate brownie, sticky toffee pudding or ice cream.

And the venue also caters for its vegan and vegetarian diners, with plant based dishes including a shaved fennel starter, the Moving Mountains burger or hotdog, and vegan ice cream.

Stuart Young, of the Northumberland Pub Company, which owns the Blackbird, is confident the new menu is a crowd pleaser.

“We are very lucky to have an incredibly talented chef leading our kitchen and Ralph has once again pulled together a delicious menu,” he said.

“We have a fantastic selection of dishes, from light bites and sandwiches to mains and steaks, and so there really is something to suit every occasion.

“I think our new menu will be very popular with both new diners and our regulars alike and we have already had some excellent feedback from those who have tried it.”

For more information, or to book a table, visit https://theblackbirdponteland.co.uk/