New landlady Becky Ward had never pulled a pint before she took on the Crown in New Costessey with husband Shane, but she said she 'fancied' running it.

She grew up in Costessey and remembered visiting the pub on several previous occasions. At present, she is still working two days a week at the nearby One Stop shop, but she plans in the future to give that job up and work full-time at the pub.

She said: 'I always liked this pub. It's really big and has a lot of space.

'There's something about the atmosphere, and I really wanted it.

'I had a feeling that I could do something with it, and the first 13 weeks we've been here we've seen a pick-up in trade.'

They have already transformed one of the bar areas into the 'Glitz Club' with �13,000 worth of lighting equipment, and host the Nuts Poker League on Wednesday nights, which brings in a lot of customers.

She said: 'When we first moved in we felt that there were three or four sets of people that used the pub.

'These different groups have now merged to become one, and have all become friends. We are now looking forward to a good summer to get more people in.'

The couple are keen to let people in the area know that they are back in business.

'I feel there's a future for this type of pub,' she added.

'Before we took it on, they had a couple of managers in, but it was being run down and was dilapidated, and people left to go elsewhere. We want those people to come back.'

The pub's owner, Enterprise Inns, is backing them to bring back the good times, and has agreed to carry out an internal and external makeover.

'We are getting new, more modern signage and the outside of the pub will be repainted. There will also be a dance floor put in the Glitz club.

'We also have a bowling green round the back, and we're looking for people to join darts and crib teams.'

They are also keen to support charities and are holding a bike rally – with up to 150 bikers expected to attend – on August 12, in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Alzheimer's Society.

Mrs Ward added: 'We just want people to give us a chance. We are a family friendly pub and cater for all ages.'

The Evening News has been urging people to return to pubs in our Love your Local campaign.

To see more stories from the campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.