A popular riverside pub is one step closer to reopening after a fire gutted the historic building.

The Chequers in High Street, Aylesford has been dealing with the aftermath of the blaze since May and it has recently undergone reconstruction.

Now the pub has given an inside look of some of the renovations made on the first floor of the 511-year-old building - where the blaze caused most damage.

In a post on Facebook it said the whole pub has been stripped out to give it a blast clean.

The first floor has been opened up to show off its historic wooden beams, while the kitchen below has been stripped out completely.

But during the work, the building began to move so support poles had to be installed to hold up the ceiling.

Many have shown their support throughout the reconstruction process and once again people have flocked to offer their good wishes.

Commenting on the post Maria Tyrrell said: "Wow. We are missing sitting in the beautiful balcony looking out over the river this summer."

Sheila Bish wrote: "When people can come back to you hopefully they will appreciate all the hard work involved."

Tracy Crouch MP for Chatham and Aylesford highlighted the importance of the pub when it was first struck but the fire.

She said: “The Chequers supported vulnerable people during the height of the pandemic, an act that isn’t forgotten by people.

"I am sure once things have settled and there is some clarity about the operations of the pub, the community will return the favour by popping in for a pint or two.”

Cllr Matt Boughton, leader of Tonbridge and Malling council said: “The Chequers in Aylesford is at the heart of the village community and I know the fire was a great shock for everyone.

"I’m pleased the renovations are coming on well and look forward to them completing very soon.”

But those waiting to venture back to the watering hole may be able to sate their thirst sooner than they thought, as the owners have since bought a new establishment located in Seal Chart.

Taking over the site of the old Crown Point in Sevenoaks, the now named Amherst Inn joins the conglomerate of pubs owned by the same people.

In a separate post it said: "The guys have all been working extremely hard on site to get us ready to re-open as soon as possible.

"But there’s not much that we can do until they’re finished so in the meantime, we've opened another pub.

"This is certainly going to be a challenge as it’s much bigger than all our other sites but we’re so excited to get stuck in."

The new establishment will offer all day dining and a beer garden.