Paul McAstocker and his family moved into The Swan at Hoxne near Eye - an idyllic Grade 2* listed pub which partly dates back to the 16th century - back in February.

He is planning a garden party for locals this Saturday - and is reassuring customers that the pub will reopen after its closure in September last year following the exit of the previous tenants.

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Paul McAstocker, new landlord of The Swan Inn at Hoxne, near Eye (Image: Sarah Chambers)

He hopes to partially reopen around mid-July - avoiding the bar area where the problem beam is.

He has already spent a "considerable amount" installing a commercial kitchen and new bars, fixtures and fittings and putting in damp proofing.

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"There was nothing there - it was stripped out," he said. "I just want to bring it back to its natural form.

Paul McAstocker, new landlord of The Swan Inn at Hoxne, near Eye (Image: Sarah Chambers)

"This is such a beautiful building. The bar is gorgeous, the ceilings are beautiful and the fire place is insane."

Paul, wife Rebecca Smithson and their two girls aged nine and five have now settled into their accommodation in the upstairs area.

His daughters have started at school in Eye and Paul is dividing his time between renovating the downstairs ready for opening and running his pubs management business - Twenty6 -........

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