One of the most popular village pubs in the Devizes area has new owners.

Liverpudlian Gary Weston and his wife Lou have taken over at The Bell in Great Cheverell.

The couple bought the Grade II listed pub from mother and daughter Gill and Sara Currie who found the pub on the Channel 4 programme Relocation, Relocation.

The Curries sold the pub after more than two years.

But Mr Weston is no stranger to the pub trade. He has had more than 20 years experience in the trade.

An experienced chef, who still turns his hand with ease to cooking for the restaurant, he met his wife when he was running The Bridge pub in the Woodford Valley near Salisbury. She was the daughter of a customer. The couple have two children, Kirsty, 11, and Ciaran, five.

In the first seven weeks they have fitted new carpets and furniture and are going back to having rustic floorboards in the restaurant.

He said: "Rather than changing things I want to improve them but keep the tradition of a village pub, with good beer and food and a good mine host.

"Villagers have been very supportive and have made us feel really welcome."

He is involved with preparations for the soapbox derby on August 26. The event was revived last year and was a great success. It involves people making their own carts and racing round the village. Application forms from the shop or Mr Weston on (01380) 813277.