THE team behind The Chequers Inn, Rookley, have taken on another pub — The White Lion in Niton.

The sale has been completed, keys collected and renovation works have begun at the village pub.

Mark Holmes, of The Chequers, told the County Press: "We are really excited to open up at The White Lion.

"We got the keys on Friday night and the builders were straight in because we are going to redecorate the whole place.

"We are hoping to make it a hub for the village.

"We want to make it a traditional village pub with great food and great beer.

"It is going to have a different menu from The Chequers and have its own identity.

"It is going to be family friendly and we have got some play equipment to go in the garden.

"We want to have a nice beer garden, so villagers can come out in the summer and have barbecues and cold beers.

"The villagers all seem very excited, people have been walking past and popping their head in to say hello.

"We have got a good management team ready to start, including a head chef and manager."

The White Lion, previously owned by Enterprise Inns, has been closed since January.

Mark said he hoped to open mid to late July.