THE long awaited re-opening of the Live and Let Live in Bringsty has been delayed until at least the summer.

The couple who came in to rescue the 250-year-old pub from permanent closure in October had hoped to open it by Easter but the renovation work and architects plans for an extension are taking longer than hoped.

While the work goes on Alan and Susan Clarke and their three teenage children, Grant, Jamie and Alana, continue to live in a caravan.

Luckily, they also run Tagit, a company supplying car parts, so are not wholly reliant on their new pub business.

However, the public support they have received has been very welcome.

Alan Clarke said: "The place is in a horrendous condition and we have had problems with the Grade II listing.

"But the wonderful thing is the amount of support we are receiving from passers-by and walkers. An Australian came to take pictures to send back to his father who used to drink here and we've had lots of support from the commoners.

"The Live and Let Live will live again. My wife and I are looking forward to opening the pub and if we get as much support as we are getting now, then it will be a success."

The pub was closed for six years while former landlady Shirley Gregory tried to get planning permission to change its use to residential.