A Hertfordshire restaurant group, Lussmanns Fish & Grill, has won a national award for the second year running.

Andrei Lussmann, who owns Lussmanns Fish & Grill, has three restaurants in St Albans, Harpenden and Hertford, won the award for Sustainable Small Group of the Year at the Sustainable Restaurant Awards last week.

Diners at Mr Lussmann's restaurants have been enjoying the menu filled with free-range meat and a selection of craft ales and English wines, since they first opened 11 years ago.

Recently, the groups became the first restaurants outside London to be accredited for serving sustainable fish.

This meant that since late 2014 customers have been able to enjoy dishes including pan-fried cod cheeks with garlic, chilli and lime, from fish certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

The group’s extensive support of numerous local charities, its aggressive approach to tackling food waste, and use of eco-cleaning products further contributed to its success.

Lussmanns beat off strong competition from the seven-strong central London bar restaurant group Drake & Morgan, and steak restaurant group Hawksmoor - both named as runners up.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was held in London on February 23, Mr Lussmann said: ""Winning this award is testament to the ways that we at Lussmanns are making a difference. Sustainability in our homes and on our high streets is an essential part of our everyday life and Lussmanns continues to demonstrate that ethics and sustainability can form a very strong and unswerving part of any business.

"Food insecurity, dwindling resources and a growing world population are impacting our lives and the time to participate is now."