THE new owners of Salty's have revealed how they plan to contribute to a charity which will help the people of West Wight.

As previously reported, Ed and Melanie Panek, of Colwell Bay, have just bought the popular Yarmouth restaurant which was owned by the Green family for 25 years.

Now the couple want to devote their time to philanthropy and supporting various not-for-profit ventures through the business.

Melanie, a veteran investment banker, who is still on a number of boards, said: "We are teaming up with United Way, the largest privately funded charity in the world, who have a deep expertise in 'giving local'.

"It works with local causes and we want to promote education, income stability and health ­— the building blocks for a good quality of life.

"Customers can donate to the charity and we will match whatever they contribute, and we will also take some of the Salty's profits to invest back into Yarmouth and the West Wight.

"We want to target children and youth and inspire youngsters to do well in school so they can set themselves up for success to get a better job and stay on the Island instead of moving away."

Ed, who recently retired as a fund manager, said the business will run along the same lines. Nicky Green, who has been restaurant manager for more than ten years, will continue in her role.

He said: "It's been a successful business which we have enjoyed visiting for many years, so we're not going to change things.

"There will still be live music on Saturday nights and our chefs will be staying on producing the same great food. It's an exciting time ahead."