A POPULAR Bury restaurant has moved to the “top of the table” thanks to growing and glowing testimonials from its satisfied customers.

For Ditto Bistro is now rated number one of out of a total of 138 eateries throughout Bury, according to the well-known TripAdvisor website.

And it’s all thanks to the number of positive comments posted online by diners in praise of the Broad Street bistro.

Delighted proprietor Diane Driscoll is now harnessing this achievement as a prime promotional tool, using a board outside the business to publicise the TripAdvisor triumph.

The website provides an online service for people to recommend everything from eating places and hotels to resorts, travel guides and flights.

Diane joined forces with partner Tony Bannister to launch Ditto Bistro in April, 2011, harnessing more than 40 years of combined experience within the hospitality and catering industry Their aim was to produce a selection of dishes which are all homemade, using the freshest of ingredients.

Previously, Tony worked as a chef at a number of top venues including the Stratford Hilton, Living Ventures, Chez Gerard and Le Frog.

Diane is qualified chef who diversified into other spheres such as wine and spirits and restaurant services. She qualified as a trainer with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and outside of Ditto is a tutor in food hygiene at Bury Adult Education Centre.

Looking back over the past two years, she said: “When we opened it was a difficult climate and, despite the odds, we have worked hard, injecting passion and enthusiasm to produce an eatery that produces good, real food.”

Located in Bury’s “cultural quarter,” the restaurant has enjoyed increased footfall and endeared itself to those who have visited.

“During the time of building the business, it was with delight and joy that we found that many of our customers had posted their experiences on TripAdvisor and all of them have been positive,” Diane added.

“Our greatest accolade is that we are now celebrating being rated number one.

“We are registered with TripAdvisor and when customers leave comments, these come to our email inbox. It’s great to get such positive comments and feedback which rate us, the service, food, atmosphere and other factors. We’re quite overwhelmed by it all. Over the past two years, we’ve established a really good client base.”

The bistro is now opening on Sunday lunchtimes. It currently employs students and has a four-strong staff.