Two pubs have been given a fresh lease of life after being taken over by new landlords.

The Fruiterers’ Arms in Rodmersham and The King’s Head on London Road, Sittingbourne, are set to be transformed as new managers make their mark.

Caroline MacKay, who took over the Fruiterers in August, is confident the pub can the retain the popularity that its previous landlords built during the 12 years they were in charge.

In November 2013, much-liked Tony De-Bell and Adrian Hall announced their decision to leave and put the pub on the market for £99,995.

Nine months later when 28-year-old Caroline, who previously managed a Wetherspoon’s pub, took over, she knew she had big boots to fill.

But she says her wealth of experience in hospitality, and the few changes she’s making, will help her along the way.

“Since I was 18 I’ve been in the pub trade. I got a bar job and worked my way up.

"So far, it’s been good - a lot of compliments.

"I’ve extended the opening hours and made the pub child-friendly – a couple of the older people don’t like that but more people are happy because they’ve got children.”

The new proprietor of the King’s Head, Heidi Dixon, is taking her pub in a different direction from Caroline, but has similar ideas about building its popularity.

The 50-year-old, who is also landlord of The Star pub in Ashford, has only been in the industry for two years and, alongside husband Paul, is still learning the tricks of the trade.

She said: “I’m still getting used to bits and pieces because I’m not from Sittingbourne.

“People have made me feel really welcome – all the regulars are as good as gold.”

Heidi, on the advice of her favourite regulars, has also brought back a few pub favourites, including the Saturday night bonus ball, a meat raffle and is planning to buy a wide screen TV to air BT sports.