A fire damaged pub could re-open by late spring after being bought from a brewery chain.

Just two days before Richard King was due to complete his purchase of the Kings Head from Punch Taverns, the historic Bradwell pub was ravaged by an industrial fryer blaze.

The sale fell through following the enormous blaze at the end of September until three months later when Punch Taverns got back to Mr King and dropped the original asking price.

Mr King subsequently bought the pub and is already carrying out work to have the roof re-built and to restore many of its 17th century features inside.

He said: “It’s a fascinating building.

“We want to find out more about the history of it.

“I’m looking forward to getting it running.”