A couple have left Spain to pull the pints at a traditional English pub.

Andrew and Diane Ward can now be found behind the bar at the Chequers on the Green in High Halden after returning to England for the benefit of their children Alice, 13, and 10-year-old Harry.

The couple previously ran Wards Hotel in Folkestone.

Diane said: "We have been in Spain for the last 18 years, and still own a restaurant outside Malaga, but we decided it was time to move back so our children could experience English life.

"Andrew is originally from Hythe and I'm from Upchurch, so we wanted to return to Kent, and we started looking for possible pubs.
"The Chequers on the Green appealed to us instantly as it is such a beautiful building with lots of land around it, in an amazing village location."

Andrew has 40 years' experience as a chef and grew up in the pub trade as his parents ran the Tiger Inn, Stowting.

The Chequers on the Green offers a new menu featuring steaks, seafood, vegetarian dishes and classic Sunday roasts.

Meals are served from midday until late Monday to Sunday, with children catered for.

The Grade II-listed oak-beamed pub has large areas of outside space, which the couple are hoping to make use of.

Diane said: "One of our goals is to utilise the pub’s amazing outside space to build the functions side of the business.

"We have a separate area off the bar which can seat up to 30 people and is very popular with private groups, but we are looking at the possibility of holding weddings and other large functions in the garden."

She added: “We are very dog friendly as we have two rescue setters so dogs are welcome in the bar area.

"High Halden is a beautiful village, surrounded by countryside which is explored by lots of walkers, so we want them to be able to stop off at the pub."

The pair took over the site at the end of last year.

"It is very important to us that the pub is seen as part of the community, and we will be working hard to ensure that everyone feels welcome here."