Owners of a historic pub which was devastated by a fire have taken the next step towards reopening it.

A planning application to reconstruct the partially destroyed Hollingbourne pub, the Dirty Habit, has been sent to Maidstone council.

In October, flames tore through the Upper Street boozer and shut not only the 11th century pub but the busy village road.

Staff at the pub had been preparing for a busy festive season, with the fire starting on the same day the Dirty Habit unveiled its new winter menu, while people living nearby had to be evacuated from their homes.

Now, planning documents have revealed the Elite Pubs chain wants to reconstruct the Grade-II listed building to its former state before the blaze, with the exception of the location of the kitchen and associated mechanical equipment.

A design statement for the plans said: “The proposals also plan to relocate the kitchen and extraction system to the rear of the building which will offer greater protection to both the public house and adjoining listed building in the unlikely event of a fire in the future.

“We therefore believe that the proposals will both conserve, preserve and enhance the listed building.”

An application to demolish part of the building was submitted in November and approved in March, with planning documents revealing most of this has now been completed.

Part of the 1,000-year-old building's roof was destroyed, windows blown out and the road in Upper Street closed for days.

Last year Elite Pubs, which runs the pub and many others in Kent, said it hoped to have the site reopened by winter this year.

Previously, a spokesman said: "Our contractors are in talks with our Maidstone Borough Council conservation officer about our next steps.

"We’re working towards reconstruction beginning before Christmas with a grand reopening winter 2023/2024.

"We’ll continue to post updates here and our social media channel."

More than £3,300 was raised for staff who lived at the pub and had their belongings destroyed in the fire.

Some villagers were left in tears after seeing the "iconic" pub go up in flames last October.