NEW hands are on deck at The Ship Inn in Wylam.

Joanne Douglas has left her job in childcare to take on the village pub which closed in September.

The pub, popular with walkers, tourists and locals, also has six bedrooms.

"It's my passion, it's what I've always wanted to do", said Joanne, who has had a pub in the past, and will run the business alongside partner Gordon Irvine, who works for an airline. "When the opportunity came up, it was a no-brainer.

"I haven't worked in a village pub before and that's what my dream was. This is the best start to my venture, and I love Wylam."

The pub has been redecorated and the rooms refurbished.

Joanne, of Lemington, plans to convert the shed at the back of the pub into a small wedding venue, introduce regular singers on a weekend, and offer a menu, cooked by a former Matfen Hall chef, somewhere between pub food and fine dining.

The pub was taken over in July by Peter Drummond, of the Drummond Pub Company, which also runs the Engine Inn in Walbottle, after former tenants award-winning chef Paul and Kelly Johnson left the Main Road pub after five years at the helm.

The pub is owned by Star Pubs and Bars.

A spokeswoman for the company told the Courant: “We are finalising agreements for a licensee to take over The Ship Inn and will announce details shortly."

The Ship Inn will have a pre-opening for friends and family on November 19 before opening to the public on November 20.

Food will be served from November 23.