A couple who tied the knot a year ago now have 'his and hers' pubs after taking on a village boozer.

Landlord Derick Simms already owns the Prince of Wales in Herne Bay, but now, wife Emma is running the Crown Inn in Sarre near Birchington.

Mr and Mrs Simms opened the doors to the venue in Ramsgate Road on Friday, after purchasing it together.

"My husband already owns the Prince of Wales pub in Herne Bay," Mrs Simms said.

"We got married last year and wanted a pub together and wanted something more for me to run.

"We also wanted something a bit different from the Prince of Wales.

"The Crown Inn has 14 let rooms and a restaurant - so lots of opportunities."

While the prospect of taking on a pub in the cost-of-living crisis may be challenging, the 45-year-old says its accommodation helps make it viable.

"I think the let rooms are another source of income to support the pub," she said.

"The last owners had it for 16 years before they retired. Because it was such a successful business, we were not that worried. It was always busy.

"Our other pub has also been fine during the crisis. It is a sports bar with eight TVs so it does very, very well.

"We just wanted something a bit different.

"It seems perfect. We like the history and the fact it is a 15th century pub too.

"We have decorated six of the rooms, the bar and entrance area.

"We are keen to serve home-cooked food. Next year we would love to have weddings there.

"We just want to do as much as we possibly can with it.

"My husband has never had a pub with anyone else before so we just wanted to do something together."

KentOnline's pub spy the Secret Drinker reviewed the historic pub in 2020.

He said the atmosphere had a cheery, old-school feel.