THERE was a happy homecoming for Emmerdale star Emma Atkins when she officially declared 'first orders' at a newly re-opened pub in Silverdale.

After standing empty since 2010, The Royal is once again be pulling pints following a £300,000 refurbishment project by local family-run business Holgates.

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Emma, who plays Charity Dingle in the popular TV soap, raised her glass on behalf of the Lancs village on the Cumbria border where she grew up.

Pub owner Michael Holgate, whose family enterprise includes nearby Silverdale Holiday Park and five other Cumbrian and North Lancs parks, believes The Royal now has a sparkling future.

A large chunk of the near-third million pound makeover has gone into redesigning, equipping and furnishing the public areas.

Emma said she was delighted to see The Royal re-open in the heart of the village in which she grew up, and which held many happy childhood memories for her.

She congratulated Michael Holgate on his initiative, and wished him and his staff team good luck for the future.

Up to ten full and part-time jobs have been initially created by the pub.