A star in the North East

The Telstar Hotel, despite its name, is a John Barras pub in the heart of Billingham, Cleveland. Billingham is near Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool so the pub attracts customers, mainly working people, from the surrounding areas. Families also visit the pub as it offers a special children's menu.

Food is served from 11am to 9.30pm seven days a week, with Sunday lunch traditionally being the busiest period.

On average, the pub serves 900 to 1000 covers a week.

Currently the pub is raising money to sponsor Sean Rogan, a young rugby player from West Hartlepool Rugby Club to go to New Zealand to play in a rugby tournament.

Andrew Defty says: "So far, we've held a race night using a videotape of a horse race, but we'll be organising other events."

He likes Uncle Ben's American Long Grain Rice - "it's really good, the consistency is excellent and it gives good portion control," he says.

Chips are an important part of the menu and Defty offers a choice of two different fries - McCain steak cut fries "which have good frying quality and hold up well" and Lamb Weston Seasoned Twister Fries - "these are curly fries and have great visual appeal".

Chips are fried in Frymax long life oil "which works well", he added.

Spicy Chicken Wings from the Lite Bites section of the menu are provided by Brake Bros while M & J Seafoods supply fish such as scampi and cod.

Baguettes, which are freshly made to order, are part-baked from Speedibake with a variety of fillings and served hot.

On the dessert side, toffee chocolate mousse and double chocolate dome cake, are bought in from Sara Lee. Traditional English comfort desserts such as Sticky Toffee Pudding and Apple and Rhubarb Crumble are from Brake Bros.