A centuries-old village pub has new owners.

The Eight Bells at The Moor in Hawkhurst, has been sold by the former owners, James and Annie Rogers, to the newly formed Lakedown Pub Group.

The Eight Bells is the company’s first pub purchase since its formation in March, but it is a new venture for the well-established Burwash-based Lakedown Brewery Company.

The brewery, which makes canned and keg beers, has brands such as Kicking Donkey and Zoot Suit.

The pub has been transformed over the past five years by its previous owners, particularly for its food offering. They say they want to spend more time with their growing family.

The leasehold of the Grade II listed building has been up for sale since last November.

It opens under its new owners tomorrow (Friday).

James Cuthbertson from Lakedown said: “We'll be celebrating the best of seasonal produce, using only the best ingredients, many from across Kent.

“On the bar we're offering a wide range of beers, wines and spirits, including an excellent range of rums.”

The building has been a pub since at least 1720, but it has not always been the Eight Bells.

The name is not a nautical reference, but rather refers to the number of bells in the nearby St Laurence Church.

Up until 1841, when the church added two more bells to the belfry, the pub had been known as The Six Bells.

Prior to that - and for the same reason - it had been known until 1749 as The Five Bells.

The exact date of the pub’s origin is unknown, but parish records have a reference to The Five Bells dating from 1720.

The pub has been run as a five-day-a-week operation by the Rogers, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Mr Cuthbertson said it would continue with that model for the time being, but he said: “We will review that when we know the business better.”