A popular seafront pub loved by celebrities has undergone a huge refurbishment.

The Zetland Arms in Kingsdown has been given a fresh look and a “delicious new menu”, according to brewery Shepherd Neame.

The site has seen its fair share of famous faces visit over the years, including The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge and legendary TV host David Frost.

Now, following the arrival of new licensee, Chris Hicks, who took over the Wellington Parade pub six months ago, the site has been given a makeover.

Mr Hicks runs two other sites in Deal with his wife – The Rose, a hotel, bar and restaurant, and The Blue Pelican, a restaurant offering Japanese-inspired dining.

“I love the informality of the place,” Mr Hicks said.

“It feels like a pub institution, as everyone knows it, and it's here to serve the community. I feel very strongly about that.

“People do come for its location, of course, but I want to make sure that the ambience of the building, and what we have to offer, make it somewhere you want to come, regardless of the view and the weather.”

Shepherd Neame bosses say the pub has undergone a “stylish external redecoration in blue and white tones”, and has a “delicious new menu inspired by its location”.

Manager Paul Claydon, who previously ran the Black Douglas coffee house in Deal, and has been friends with Chris for some years, said: “Kingsdown is a beautiful place throughout the year and we wanted to make The Zetland a place people think to come to, even when they’re not necessarily coming to hang on the beach.

“We have concentrated on the ambience inside and it feels fantastic.”

The new menu, which includes Swedish breakfast buns and mussels with leeks, is available all day, from midday to 8pm.

When the weather is warmer, customers can also eat in a refurbished enclosed courtyard garden to the rear.

There will also be a beach menu for those dining on the many picnic tables at the front of the pub.

Mr Hicks added: “Our redecoration hopefully demonstrates our love for the pub, enhancing all its unique features and making it a warm, cosy environment for people to simply drop in for a drink while out on a dog walk or gather as a group for a meal.”

The Zetland Arms is one of the closest public houses on the British mainland to France and has enviable sea views from the beach at Kingsdown.

According to The Old Pubs of Deal and Walmer, its original name was the Earl of Zetland and in 1860 there was a lugger of that title which sank on its way to Ramsgate.

In September 1977, David Frost and former prime minister Harold Wilson were in Deal making a programme about prime ministers and popped into the Zetland afterwards for lunch.