A woman who came back to her hometown to reopen a popular pub has since spoken out on the success of her new summer beer garden. 

Charlotte Grant, 43, grew up in Spencers wood and has recently returned to the area to become the new landlady of The Swan at Three Mile Cross. 

"It's been really amazing," she said. "I never thought I'd move back to the village. I grew up in Spencers Wood in a pub that was called the Red Lion which closed in 1997.

"I've been in the pub industry pretty much since I was born. I never thought I'd come back to take over The Swan but here I am."

Since opening its doors earlier this year Ms Grant said that business has been booming ever since and that they recently just finished work on the beer garden. 

"We re-did it a little bit and it has become really lovely," she continued. The outside seating area now sports masses of beautiful flowers, sun parasols, and lots of tables and chairs for customers. 

The pub recently hosted screenings of the Euros 2024 tournament where they adorned the beer garden with red and white England flags. 

Ms Grant also plans to host a Christmas market in the garden as well as inviting bands to perform. 

"It's been really well received and is going from strength to strength," she said. "We're getting lots of events booked in at the moment. I'm very happy with how everything's going.

"We had an African day, we're hosting lots of live music, we're doing loads of new things at the moment. All of that good stuff. It's been beyond my wildest dreams."

Ms Grant said before that her father notified her that The Swan was up for sale and encouraged her to take the business on. 

Both of Ms Grant's parents still live in Spencers Wood. 

"He kept going past it and saying that there was a sign up outside and just kept telling me to go and check it out," Ms Grant said. 

"I kept telling him that I was busy, but I finally went and had a look around it. As soon as I did I completely fell in love with it and the rest is history."

Ms Grant says that she believes a pub should be the beating heart of the village, and wants the swan to stick to the fundamentals of a great community pub.