AN Italian restaurant has been named as one of the finest places to find good food on a tight budget.

Lucca, in Manningtree, was listed amongst the 30 “best places for great food on a budget” by the Times newspaper.

It is in prestigious company, with the list including high-end eateries in London and Edinburgh.

The entry said: “This trattoria in the tiny town of Manningtree is led by a team of Italian chefs.

“It has a menu of traditional staples and a range of authentic Naples-style wood-fired oven-cooked pizzas.

“That includes Amatriciana with guanciale, caramelized red onion and chili, pasta dishes including paccheri alla norma, made with aubergine, garlic, basil and fresh tomatoes and topped with ricotta salata and antipasti such as zucchini fries with shaved parmesan and lemon oil.”

Lucca, owned by Sherri Singleton and David McKay, was opened in 2007 and based on meals enjoyed by the pair in Southern Italy.