A pub that hit the headlines for a topless barmaid night has a new landlord who has plans for the venue.

Stuart Lee and his partner Tai-Mar Newland have taken on Hardy's in Dorchester and will rebrand it as 'The Thomas Hardy'.

Previously the Trinity Street pub was subject to noise complaints - resulting in a licence review - and also hit national headlines after hosting a topless barmaid night.

The new couple at the helm have brought forward the pub's closing time and are introducing a gourmet pizza offering in a bid to encourage diners to the pub.

Former doorman and now live-in-landlord Mr Lee, 51, who has been in charge of the Thomas Hardy since September 2, said: "When we received the keys the pub was very run down and needed something to bring its spark back.

"The kind of pub me and my partner want it to be is an old-fashioned, traditional pub. We want people to come in and play dominoes, pool and cards and have a good time at a friendly pub where the banter is good.

"It's a pub, not a nightclub and we want to create a more relaxed and friendly environment."

On weekends, last orders will be called at 10.45pm and the pub will close at 11.30pm.

Hardy's was well known for hosting local bands and this will continue, Mr Lee said, with the music stage in a new location further away from the door.

A karaoke night has been introduced on Thursdays and a variety of live sport will be shown at the Thomas Hardy. While the business is now family-run, a member of staff from the pub's former guise has remained working there.

The past few months have been a testing time for Mr Lee after suffering a heart attack. He is now on the mend and looking forward to living his dream of running a pub.

He said: "We know it's going to be tough with the cost-of-living crisis at the moment but the utility side of it will be manageable. We want the business to progress to a point where we are comfortable and plan to keep it in the family."