IT might not be the resurrection its original occupants had in mind.

Nor would they have taken kindly to patrons chalking their cues or ordering cocktails.

But the team of investors and management who have converted a former chapel into a trendy wine bar and restaurant are praying for a warm welcome from locals.

The Old Chapel in Bicester was built in 1728, and until recently served as the Bicester Snooker Club.

Now Charlotte Parry and Martin Eldridge, who have their own building firm, have transformed it to give the people of Bicester "something special and unique".

And having invested £150,000 to create the chic and stylish 76-seat restaurant and bar, they are delighted with the results.

advertisement Miss Parry, 24, said: "We had been looking for something to invest in for a while. I have grown up in the catering business and my father had mentioned he was looking to get back into catering. Both Martin and I saw the snooker club as a good business investment."

Miss Parry's father Richard, who has managed several pubs and restaurants across the country, will be managing the bar Mr Parry, who lives in Bicester, said: "Running The Old Chapel will be a challenge. There isn't anything of its kind in Bicester."

Bicester's mayor John Cozens performed the officially opening last week and the Old Chapel is opening to the public tomorrow night.

Miss Parry, who lives with Mr Eldridge in Murcott, said: "I want The Old Chapel to be a relaxed and comfortable dining experience for the people of Bicester. We have lighting which can be changed to suit the mood, we have candles on tables, but nothing too elaborate. We just want people to feel comfortable."

As well as the dining area, there is a chill-out zone where people can relax on leather sofas while they wait for a table.

The couple, who set up building firm Ravencroft Projects Ltd a year ago, have tried to keep many original features.

Mr Eldridge, 39, said: "We have exposed the trusses. It is a listed building and we wanted to include as many of the old features as we could."

Head chef Adam Abbott, who has been a chef for 25 years, will be using fresh, local produce.

There will be a range of menus available throughout the week.

Mr Abbott, 37, said: "I like cooking and eating - two things that go hand in hand with being a chef.

"I like to cook something simple, but well, and give the customers things they can't get anywhere else. I think Bicester is crying out for a place like The Old Chapel."