Scaffolding around the George and Dragon pub in Sandwich is finally coming down.

The 15th century inn in Fisher Street has had structural problems and scaffolding has supported the pub for more than two years.

Work is due to start on Monday and is expected to finish at the end of August when the pub will be returned to “its old self.”

Proprietor Matthew Philpott said: “We’ve had a few set-backs but it should be going ahead now.”

The front wall of the pub needs to be taken out and replaced and structural support work on the roof.

Mr Philpott said: “The wall is rotten and had started to move quite a bit. Cracks appeared round the windows.”

Structural work will take around eight weeks and then the pub will be painted and decorated.

The pub is in the conservation area so it has taken a long time to get the permissions needed and the funds to do the repairs.

Mr Philpott explained that Enterprise, the pub property company which leases the building, has been dealing with this and is now ready to go ahead.