Pints and pies are being served again at a country pub after new owners stepped forward to reopen it.

David Jackson and partner Octavia Gleedwood have taken over the running of the Royal Oak in Curthwaite, near Wigton.

It had been closed since Christmas after the previous landlords left the business.

But, following a four month refurbishment, the popular pub and eatery has been reopened by the couple who had previously run the restaurant at Silloth Golf Club for eight years, serving to its 500 members.

They bring with them more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality trade, having managed pubs and restaurants in Surrey and London.

"We felt as though we had done everything we could at the golf club and had a good reputation," said David, 44.

"We thought we'd take a risk and get back into the pub trade.

"When it closed down the owners decided it was a good time to refurbish it and they have made a cracking job.

"Any new venture has a certain amount of risk but we are experienced and have a good reputation."

Mr Jackson said he and Octavia spotted a gap in the market in reopening the Curthwaite pub.

"There's not too much in the area," he added.

"There's not a lot of country pubs between Silloth and Carlisle so we have seen this as an opportunity.

"We still want to come across as a pub but also serve food.

"It has a cracking reputation for locals using it as a place to come and drink.

"But any small pub these days needs to do food."

They plan on serving the pub classics like fish and chips and pies - but hope to make them a little bit "posher".