An historic town centre pub is to reopen.

The Court House, in Spital Street, Dartford, has been closed since 2016 but now Yvonne Rickards has taken on the lease.

She said: "I am very happy to have completed on the Court House and add it to our other business only located a few miles away. We aim to bring back a good local pub to the local community.”

Christie & Co, which handled the sale, billed the Grade II listed venue as "representing a tremendous opportunity", adding: "No doubt the local community will be delighted to see the doors re-open."

James Hughes, business agent as Christie & Co, said: “I was delighted to facilitate the leasehold transaction on behalf of Garry Simpson which will see this iconic pub re-open its doors with a successful operator at the helm. We wish Yvonne every success in what I am sure will be a strong business for many years to come.

“Pubs which are still viable businesses are all too often being snapped up by developers to be converted into housing or other alternative uses so it’s fantastic in this case to be assisting in reopening the doors on what is a truly magnificent pub.”