A POPULAR South Lakeland pub re-opened its doors on Friday after a difficult period of closure following the December floods.

The Bridge Hotel in Kendal suffered heavy damage when Storm Desmond battered the town on December 5, and landlady Jacqueline Hadley has had an arduous task to get the place ready for business.

"All the cellar was completely taken out, the snooker room was completely gone, the garage, the car park, the garden – everything had to be completely done over," said Miss Hadley.

But since then, and despite losing all her staff who had to find other employment during the five-month closure, Miss Hadley has been working hard to restore and improve the Bridge Hotel with a £60,000 refurbishment.

As well as repairing a lot the damage, there is a new food and wine menu on offer, and 'a lovely new staff team'.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron joined in with the relaunch, while Kendal Mayor Cllr Chris Hogg also paid a visit. Miss Hadley believes the night was a huge success.

"The opening went fabulously, they all had a really good time. Tim Farron enjoyed the beer and thought the food was fabulous and everyone liked all the new changes in the pub.

"There was a good attendance and a lot of them were new customers, but people did enjoy it being reopened.

"I'm now hoping to do a book swap and a gardening club, I just want it to become more community orientated and get people involved."

Mr Farron, who cut the ribbon at the opening, said: "It’s great to see that the Bridge Hotel has not just re-opened its doors following the devastating flooding, but has come back better than before thanks to the refurbishment. The Bridge Hotel is a fantastic pub in the heart of Kendal, with a relaxed atmosphere and great food – I’d recommend a visit.”