A pub once frequented by world-renown author Charles Dickens is set to be turned into a B&B and tea rooms.

Renovation work is being carried out at the historic Crispin and Crispianus, in High Street, Strood, nine years after it was ravaged by fire.

It was bought at auction in 2012 but has sat boarded up and become an eyesore in the town centre.

In its heyday, an ageing Dickens used to pop in for a drink on his way back to his home in Gad's Hill, Higham.

The author was said to sit in the corner drinking ale and people-watching, hoping to find inspiration for his characters.

The 17th century hostelry featured in his 1860 work The Uncommercial Traveller, where he described how travelling workers would stay there.

A brass plate was put next to Dickens' favourite seat.

Last month saw the 150th anniversary of his death from a stroke after he completed a day’s work on final novel Edwin Drood.

He is buried in Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey.

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