Its walls once shook to the sounds of the world's most famous musicians.

And now locals in the coastal village of West Runton will soon have their pub - which has been closed since Christmas - back.

Lee and Harriet 'Harry’ Merritt have taken over the Village Inn in Cromer Road.

The Merritts plan to reopen the pub on Friday (March 10) at 4pm, following several busy months refurbishing the interior.

Mr Merritt said: “It’s a big challenge. It’s a busy little place.

"I think it needs a bit of love put back into it and it will be flying again. 

“We’ve done a lot of decorating, put in new carpets, a new bar, done the toilets, the kitchen is all kitted out and ready for some big numbers.”

The couple also plans to host live bands at the pub, which has an illustrious musical history - the West Runton Pavilion joined on to the back of it.

Demolished in 1988, that venue was a magnet for music lovers drawn to now legendary gigs by acts including Chuck Berry, AC/DC, T-Rex, Black Sabbath, the Sex Pistols, Motörhead and the Clash in the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. 

Mr Merritt said: “It’s got so much history with music. There’s been some pretty mega bands playing there.”

North Norfolk News: A scene from 1979 and one of the many live music gigs at the West Runton Pavilion, which adjoined the Village Inn - Picture: Syd SheltonA scene from 1979 and one of the many live music gigs at the West Runton Pavilion, which adjoined the Village Inn - Picture: Syd Shelton (Image: Syd Shelton)

The Village Inn will be open from midday to 10.30pm Monday to Saturday, with food being served from midday to 3pm and 5.30pm to 8pm. On Sundays the pub will open from midday to 4pm. 

North Norfolk News: File photo from 1965 showing the West Runton Village Inn (lower right) and the Pavilion just behind it - Picture: SubmittedFile photo from 1965 showing the West Runton Village Inn (lower right) and the Pavilion just behind it - Picture: Submitted (Image: Submitted)

Mr Merritt said: “We’ll be serving good, home-cooked pub food.”

Other nearby venues include the Links Golf Club and the Dormy House Hotel.

The Merritts also run the Red Hart in Bodham, which has been in their family since 2013.

It comes amid a challenging time for the pub industry - at least eight across Norfolk have shut their doors permanently since the start of the year.

North Norfolk News: The Jam photographed by music fan and photographer Richard Brooks at the West Runton PavilionThe Jam photographed by music fan and photographer Richard Brooks at the West Runton Pavilion (Image: Richard Brooks)

North Norfolk News: Chuck Berry, one of the music legends who performed at the West Runton Pavilion, which adjoined the Village InnChuck Berry, one of the music legends who performed at the West Runton Pavilion, which adjoined the Village Inn (Image: PA)