A VILLAGE pub has been brought back to life thanks to two new owners.

The Rookhope Inn, in Rookhope, near Stanhope, closed its doors at the start of the year, and remained boarded up until the new team arrived to reopen during the summer.

Kenny Bushnall, 49, and Scott McDonald, 26, said they were looking for a new business venture after running a cafe in Hartlepool.

Mr Bushnall said: “This is the first pub that we have had and we absolutely love it here, we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Mr McDonald added: “The locals are over the moon the pub is back open and it’s lovely to be part of the community. Everyone is so friendly.”

Tina Hogarth, catering manager at the pub, has worked within the business through various owners since she was 14.

She said: “When the pub closed earlier in the year we were given no notice, just called in one day and told it was shutting.

“I can see such a massive difference here since Kenny and Scott have took over, I love working here, the building, the people, it’s lovely.”

The Rookhope Inn serves food and also sits on the Coast 2 Coast route. For more information, contact 01388-517215.