A £100,000 refurbishment is set to rejuvenate a rural pub and turn it back into the centre of the community.

The Sun Inn, Crook, closed its doors suddenly before Christmas, leaving residents shocked and dismayed.

Locals even created the Sun Inn Preservation Group in an attempt to pressure the owners, Star Pubs and Bars, into reopening the popular eating and drinking hole.

Now, with a new licensee, the pub will undergo a major refurbishment to turn it back into a much-loved village hub.

Pauline Heaps, 47, will become manageress and she told the Gazette that the pub's doors may be open within a fortnight.

"I'm looking to get the keys next week and open the week after for drinks," she said. "We'll be starting to serve food on March 2 for a week as a trial then we'll close for two-and-a-half weeks for the refurbishment in time for Good Friday."

According to Star Pubs and Bars, who own the Sun Inn, all work will be carried out sympathetically and will include the restoration of natural features such as the stone flag floor and three fireplaces.

The rest of the £100,000 sum will go towards revamping the bar area.

Pauline, who has 24 years experience in the industry having worked at the Burnside Hotel and Miller Howe Hotel, said: "I have lived around here all my life and my main aim is to keep the locals happy. There's no major changes, it's just improving what is already there."

New live-in head chef, Ryan Clement, from Windermere, will produce a new menu for the venue and will update it every three months.

Chris Jowey, trading director for Star Pubs & Bars, said: “We’re delighted that such an experienced and enthusiastic operator as Pauline is taking over the Sun Inn and that together we are investing in its long term future for residents and visitors to Crook.

“It’s tough running a pub with increasing competition for customers' disposable income. Heineken is a passionate supporter of the great British pub and has invested in pubs like the Sun Inn to help them deliver excellent quality, attract customers and thrive at the heart of their communities for years to come.”