THE BUTCHERS' Arms, at St Ive, is popular with visitors in the tourist season because of its roadside position along the A390, but it is also well patronised by the locals, especially since the arrival of the new licensees last August.

Spanish born Paco Llorente and his English wife Kay have both made quite an impression on the pub's regulars with their friendliness and willingness to fit into the community. And in return the couple say they have really appreciated the warm welcome from the local people and would like to thank them for their support.

Before coming to the 19th century Butchers Arms, Paco and Kay owned a hotel near Beer in East Devon, and although in semi retirement, decided to take a turn in direction and took on the pub. The couple met and married when Paco, who was brought up in the Spanish village of Escorial, was the restaurant manager at The Bear Hotel in Woodstock. 'That was my downfall' he says with a chuckle. They have a daughter and son, Romina and Francisco, who are both at college.

Because they arrived at the height of the tourist season, the couple say they were too busy then to put their 'own mark' on to the pub, and their feet have hardly touched the ground since, but they are hoping to start making a few changes in the spring.

Kay says first of all Paco will be looking at the pub's food menu, with a view to introducing some of his own flair, along with making more use of fresh local produce. However, the food will be of a definite traditional British flavour, although Paco will cook a Spanish paella, but only to order.

The couple stress they intend to make sure the pub remains traditional for their local regulars, and although an excellent menu will be available, the main emphasis will remain on the serving up of good old fashioned beer, including real ales, with the introduction of special ales in the future. At present , on tap there are three lagers, three bitters, cider and Murphy's Guinness.

Kay loves horses, owning three of her own, and hopes to encourage the local hunt to meet at The Butchers as it used to in days gone by. When at the hotel in Beer, she used to organise breakfasts for the Axe Vale Hunt, with whom she would regularly ride out.

When the Cornish Times arrived on Wednesday morning the weather could not have been worse, but the attractive lounge bar was already busy with customers enjoying lunch and the warm log fire, and the public bar was steadily filling up with locals enjoying a drink and a chat. The ambience was one of warmth and good cheer.

Playing pool were Ken Crowle and Richard Barrett. The pub has two teams in the Liskeard and District League, the A team, captained by Alan Walker, being top of the B division, with the B team, a youthful side captained by Sarah Cleave, doing well at halfway in the same group during their first season. Apparently a home derby last week, won by the seniors, was 'keenly' contested.

Alan, who says The Butchers has a really nice atmosphere, is supplying Paco with fresh fruit and vegetables for the kitchen, and says he will also be helping out with plants in the spring, when the pub will once again take on its 'floral face'. Kay has learned that the pub once won the accolade of the pub with the best floral displays, and as she and Paco are keen gardeners they are determined to make the pub front a riot of colour this summer.

Ken, almost 75, believes he has probably been coming to The Butchers the longest, as he has lived at St Ive for the greater part of his life. Along with Terry Thomas, who at 61 says the pub has also always been his local, he recalls that years back there was a weekly livestock market held in the grounds at the pub's rear. The market was only discontinued around1955/66. They say their have been many landlords down the years, with a Mr Emerson, being the longest serving at 33 years, but Ken went as far as to say that he thinks Paco and Kay are the best publicans so far.

'They are really doing well here' he insisted.