A NEW pub has opened its doors in time for Christmas.

The Smugglers Run, on the site of the former Ye Olde Starre Inne in Christchurch, opened last week.

The Purewell pub has been taken over by Megan Fowler-Spink and Andrew Fielden, who also run the award-winning Bodega bar in Wick Lane.

They will be running the pub under the umbrella of their Block and Barrel brand.

Megan has told the Daily Echo she wants it to operate as a "proper old boozer" and has also revealed it will have a huge range of drinks, pub grub and a 50-cover restaurant.

Ye Olde Starre Inne closed in November 2018, eight months after receiving a rating of zero in a food hygiene inspection.

Inspectors from the Food Standards Agency found a slug on top of a packet of chicken, decomposed mushrooms and cheese that was 12 months past its sell-by date.

Since then it has undergone renovation works including rewiring, replastering and complete refit.