Nico and Marco lose Michelin stars

London restaurants The Oak Room Marco Pierre White and Chez Nico at Ninety Park Lane have had their three Michelin stars removed - leaving the Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire, as the only three-starred restaurant in Britain.

But the number of starred restaurants in the UK has increased from 95 to 99, according to the Great Britain and Ireland guide 2000, published today.

Michelin disputed claims by White that he handed back his stars last year in readiness for his plans to quit cooking. It also denied that Ladenis, who from next month is cutting his menu prices by 30%, handed in his three stars.

But it did admit that it removed the stars following discussions with the chefs.

A spokesman said: "There is nothing they can hand back. They informed us of their plans and as a result we really did not want to leave two three-star restaurants in the guide that possibly would not be at the same standard. They will be reassessed for inclusion next year."

He added: "If we published a guide with three-star restaurants that were serving one-star food it would make a mockery of the guide."

Despite being widely tipped for a third star, Gordon Ramsay's Chelsea restaurant continues with two.

Meanwhile, Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, is the only restaurant to have climbed from one to two-star status.

Pied à Terre in London has been demoted from two stars to one and 10 one-star restaurants have also been downgraded.

Sixteen restaurants have received their first star, including London's Orrery, Conran's first Michelin-starred restaurant.

In total, 124 restaurants have Bib Gourmands, compared with 105 last year.

New one-star restaurants:

England

Moody Goose, Bath

Simpson's, Kenilworth

Vineyard, Newbury

Old Chesil Rectory, Winchester

Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere

Feathers, Woodstock

Scotland

Braidwoods, Dalry

Wales

Old Rectory, Llansanffraid Glan Conwy

Ireland

Erriseask House, Ballyconneely

London

1 Lombard Street, City of London

Putney Bridge, Wandsworth

Mirabelle, Mayfair

Orrery, Marylebone

Pétrus, St James's

Rhodes in the Square, Victoria

Roussillon, Victoria