The new Michelin Guide for 2009 includes four new two-star and 26 new one-star restaurants.

The Dining Room at Whatley Manor in Wiltshire, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, London – which has been predicted a three-star rating for next year’s guide – Hibiscus in Mayfair and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in London all received two-star ratings.

Some of the restaurants winning their first stars include Fraiche in Birkenhead, Auberge du Lac in Welwyn Garden City, The Nut Tree in Oxon and the Plumed Horse in Edinburgh.

Nathan Outlaw in Fowey, Cornwall and Tom Aikens and The Ledbury in London have each been predicted to receive two-star ratings in 2010.

Those restaurants losing their stars this year included La Noisette, L’Escargot and Mirabelle in the capital.

Derek Bulmer, editor of The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2009, said: “We have never awarded so many stars in a single year before. We can now boast of having a truly mature, rich and exciting restaurant scene.

“These new stars have been awarded to a host of establishments from gastro pubs and family-run locals, to country hotels and fashionable London restaurants. Among these we have new stars for Chinese, Italian, French and British cuisine.”

On a more sour note, however, Bulmer mentioned the possible effect that the economic downturn may have on restaurants this year. “There is no doubt that 2009 will bring challenging times for hotel and restaurants,” he said. “I am hopeful that the hospitality industry will be resilient, that customers will continue to support their local pub or restaurant and that dining out will remain part of our lives.” Details: www.michelin.co.uk