A NEW restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of Harpenden was brought to life yesterday, with famous faces turning out for its launch.

Charlie's restaurant and bar, in Luton Road, Kinsbourne Green, was officially opened yesterday with the help of the town's mayor Councillor Mike Weaver.

Also celebrating the opening of the chinese restaurant were TV stars including Katie McGrath from Merlin, Tom Riley, Manjinder Virk and Michelle Asante from Monroe and Andrew Gower, who will feature in the new series of Being Human. They were all joined by musician Newton Faulkner.

Some 400 guests were treated to a lion dance and acrobat shows before being able to sample a flavour of the menu at the buffet.