An historic Grade II-listed pub is to close until the new year while it undergoes major renovations under new management.

The Leicester Arms in High Street, Penshurst, near Tonbridge, will be closed from October 24.

Its owner, Brakspear, has entered into a new partnership with Little and Large Pubs Company.

The group currently runs three other boozers including the award-winning The Running Horses near Dorking, which earlier this year was named National Pub of the Year.

Little and Large founder Manu Bhatt says: "We're excited to be taking on The Leicester Arms. It's a fantastic pub with huge potential and ticks all the boxes for us.

"It's great to be refurbishing the pub at the outset, so that the design can reflect the way we want to run it: informal, friendly and flexible.

“We can't wait to open the doors on the new-look Leicester Arms early next year and welcome returning and new customers to enjoy our pub."

"We couldn't be happier about Little and Large taking on The Leicester Arms...”

The pub is named after a former owner of nearby Penshurst Place, Sir Robert Sidney, Viscount De L’isle, who was appointed Earl of Leicester in 1618.

The building is steeped in medieval history and originally formed part of the Penshurst Estate.

Records show the building started being used as a pub around 1779.

In 2014, it was added to the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs guide and this year it was shortlisted for Best Boutique Stay in the Muddy Stilettos Kent Awards.

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: "We couldn't be happier about Little and Large taking on The Leicester Arms.

“We're happy to be working with them on their second Brakspear pub and confident it will also be a huge success."