YOUNG footballers reopened a restaurant in Lakeside.

Bella Italia held a party to celebrate its complete refurbishment.

Customers joined in with the celebrations by ordering from the newly-launched dessert menu.

The restaurant reopened as part of Bella Italia’s ongoing expansion and refurbishment project.

This will see about 20 restaurants refurbished and 15 new sites opened across the country.

Nick White, managing director at Bella Italia, said: “We were delighted to have the Thurrock Tigers on hand to cut the red ribbon and help us celebrate the restaurant’s reopening.”