Building work has started on a £300,000 refurbishment of a well-known South East Cornwall pub.

Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and new licensee and local businessman, David Roberts are overseeing the ‘complete overhaul’ of the Brunel in Saltash.

The Brunel will be closed for around five weeks until mid-November while the work is carried out.

Changes including the introduction of home-cooked pub food, daytime coffee and snacks and monthly live entertainment will create 12 jobs.

For David Roberts investment in The Brunel is an important step towards the revival of the high street, where he moved his other business – an embroidery company - at the end of 2016.

He said: ‘The Brunel is in a high-profile location but has been a bit of an eyesore in recent years.

‘The arrival of pop-up shops in Saltash is adding new colour to the town centre. The refurbishment will I hope encourage others to invest in the revival of Saltash high street.’