A family hopes to be the change needed for a popular village pub.

Sisters Hayley 30,and Beth Watson, 27, from Haydon Bridge, have been announced as the new managers of the Kings Head in Allendale.

They join their mum Tracy, who is the head chef, and Beth's partner Ben, the handyman - making the business a family affair.

"We learned about the opportunity to take over the pub as my sister has worked there from December as a barmaid, and her beloved boss was making plans to leave," Hayley explains.

"So we had a talk and applied."

"I run small businesses and we have both worked in pubs and have a very supportive family - so we both knew together we could do it as we are so different."

Despite the excitement, the opportunity also came at the right time for the sisters when housing became an issue.

Hayley adds: “Seeing Beth interact with the customers and graft convinced me to apply as well as the threat of her becoming homeless.

"She only had a week or so to find accommodation and we couldn’t find anywhere suitable.

"This only further cemented our decision to apply. - neither of us have been pub managers before so it’s an exciting new venture.

"We hope to give the pub some much needed TLC.

"We hope to do up the beer garden and function room, host events, serve food and source as much as we can from local suppliers.

"We very much have the people of Allendale in our thoughts with every decision we make and hope we will be the change the pub needs."