It is known to canny diners as a place for top-quality food at knock-down prices, but now a city restaurant staffed by students has been given a stunning new look.

Debut Restaurant at City College Norwich gives catering and hospitality students the chance to train in a real work environment, preparing and serving food to paying customers, under the supervision of experienced tutors.

Now it has been refurbished at a cost of �460,000, with a new dining area and kitchen facilities.

College bosses hope it will give customers an even better dining experience, while allowing students to benefit from the very latest equipment.

The stylish and contemporary new interior has been inspired by modern restaurants, while the new kitchen has undergone a refit and now offers facilities similar to those found at Michel Roux's Waterside Inn.

A striking feature of the restaurant is a new private dining area with glass walls that allows diners to see the college's trainee chefs preparing top-quality food from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

The facilities were designed with sustainability in mind, and a new pastry kitchen features displays showing students how much energy is being used in the kitchen at any given time.

Steve Thorpe, head of the hotel with hair and beauty school at the college, said: 'The restaurant was looking tired and we have taken the opportunity to put in real up-to-date, industry-standard equipment that will reflect the modern workplace and help students gain the skills they need.

'It's probably the best kitchen in Norfolk. We have flexible work stations, under-counter refrigeration, better utilisation of space and very good workflows.

'It's unbelievable. It reflects the modern catering environment and is a much nicer place to work in. It gets the students excited about being here, and if they enjoy where they are it will help them to learn.'

Joe Mullhall, curriculum programme manager, designed the restaurant's new look.

'We wanted to get out of the 80s. I'm delighted with it. It feels comfortable, like a restaurant rather than a classroom,' he said.

'Although I work at the hotel school, I would be happy to come here for a meal with friends. We're in a fantastic location, five minutes' walk from the city centre and we have got good bus services and a huge car park.

'People see us as the heart of the hospitality industry in Norfolk, and it really is.'

Dick Palmer, principal, said: 'The Debut Restaurant, which already has an established reputation for its excellent facilities, service and food, has just got even better.'