A former Western Mail journalist now living in France has completed an enviable assignment while helping to research a new restaurant guide.

William Rees enjoyed meals at more than 60 of the best restaurants in the country, sampling everything from seafood to snails and charcoal grilled pigeon.

A former restaurant owner himself, William was asked to help research the new guidebook Charming Restaurant Guides - France.

His work took him to restaurants around an area of France the size of Wales, and included the region of Poitou Charente, the Departement of Vendee in the north-west and Limousin to the south and east.

William began his journalism career at The Western Mail in the 1960s and has also worked as a TV director and producer for S4C and HTV.

The new guidebook is published by Duncan Peterson Publishing.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk