The bosses of an historic pub are going to flog a lifetime of antique treasures as they prepare to change hands.

Tony Tarrats and Sarah Smith will be hosting the massive yard sale at the Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable High Street so customers can grab themselves a piece of memorabilia.

The pair announced they will be leaving The Duke, which dates back more than 300 years.

And they will be selling a range of items, including records, furniture, radios, record players and vintage projectors.

Anyone wanting something to recall fond memories should head to the yard sale which will be held between 11am and 4pm every day this week.

It comes after plans by Shepherd Neame to refurbish the Grade II-listed building sparked a huge backlash from hundreds of residents at the start of this year over fears they could lose it as a music venue.

Jenny Buncombe started a written petition before Christmas, but has since launched an online campaign which has amassed a total of more than 2,300 signatures.

And when approached by KentOnline earlier this year, the brewery did not confirm whether the pub would retain its music venue when asked specifically about the matter.

But Tony and Sarah appeared to defend Shepherd Neame on the pub's social media page earlier this year.

"The wave of support shown here for the continuation of live music at The Duke is amazing," they said.

"The decision to leave the pub was ours not Sheps [Shepherd Neame].

"In the present economic climate, they were left with little choice but to put their financial weight behind the building.

"No one taking over this bar would want to lose the atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon and it’s that positive energy that will make a difference.

"I think there may be more support and flexibility in Sheps than you think."

The brewery submitted plans to the city council to make changes inside and outside the building.

Other work includes new staff accommodation and refurbishing the ground floor – which includes fitting new seats and relocating the toilets.

Shepherd Neame’s managing director of pubs Jonathon Swaine previously said: "We can confirm that as part of ongoing investment in our estate, Shepherd Neame is planning to refurbish The Duke of Cumberland.

"Our plans are formative at this stage, but we are hoping to refurbish the rooms and the interior of the pub, and have submitted a planning application to the local authority relating to some minor alterations.

"Our aim, as with all our refurbishments, is to respect the tradition of the pub and to enhance its individuality and unique character."

Despite the company's assurances that the future of the pub is safe, campaigners have succeeded in having the property listed as an "asset of community value", by the city council.

Green Party members Clare Turnbull, Keith Bothwell and Andrew Harvey have also secured the same designation for The Plough in Swalecliffe.

The applications were made in response to public concern about the number of local pubs being lost to luxury housing development.

It gives both businesses added planning protection against being closed and redeveloped.

Originally called the Noah's Ark, the pub was renamed Duke William in 1747, before being called the Duke of Cumberland the following year.

A blaze swept through the building in 1866 and it was rebuilt in 1878.