Bournemouth's new Wildwood restaurant will finally open in October.

The growing restaurant chain, which specialises in pizzas, pasta, burgers and steaks, has been refurbishing what used to be Richmond Classics in Bristol and West House on Richmond Hill.

Wildwood, which also sells a selection of cocktails, was granted a licence last September and had planned to open this summer. Now bosses says it will be open in October.

The Bournemouth town centre restaurant will be the chain's first in Dorset with the closest existing branches in Salisbury and Fareham.

Wildwood also has delis at several of its existing restaurants selling freshly baked pastries and breads, plus artisan products such as olive oil as well as salads and sandwiches to takeaway.

Planning permission to convert two shop units on the ground floor of Bristol and West House into a restaurant was granted by Bournemouth council last year.

The two shops and a mezzanine level have been converted into a large restaurant, capable of seating around 200 people. It will open until 11pm every night.

Bristol and West House, on the corner of Post Office Road, dates from the 1950s and replaced the Central Hotel, which was destroyed in the Second World War.

In granting permission, planning officer Tom Hubbard said: "Restaurant/cafe uses are considered to support the primary shopping frontage and encourage increased pedestrians to a quieter part of the town centre, increasing its vitality and viability.

"The restaurant use is to operate throughout the day and into the evening and this will add to the vitality of the area."