A family-run pub has received a makeover thanks to the hard work and generosity of village volunteers.

The Railway, in Wateringbury, which is run by Donna Bushrod, and her two daughters Suzie and Whitney, was looking run down before five locals agreed to transform the pub during lockdown.

Other nearby residents have also donated paint, bathroom tiles and tools for the revamp.

Even Donna's own mum gave them material to cover the tired-looking stools.

Suzie, 35, who usually works on the bar with Whitney, 21, said: "These guys deserve recognition. When times are hard and things get you down we all pull together and help each other, which is exactly what has happened in Wateringbury. We will be forever grateful to them."

There was talk of the brewery, Admiral Tavern, redecorating The Railway before the pandemic but these plans were put on hold. That didn't stop the family seeing if anyone would be willing to help.

Two of the group, Steve Luckhurst and Danny Moore, run a painting and decorating business while Les Blackburn is a window fitter and Matt Wickham is a landscape gardener and Andy Kennedy a chef.

All the work was done while maintaining two metres distance from each other by working in different sections of the pub.

The group have spent the past month painting the pub's exterior and interior, upholstering bar stools, varnishing the bar and mending the outside furniture, all without taking a penny and working six days a week.

Suzie said: "We are nearly finished. It looks fantastic. We can't wait for people to see it when we reopen."

The Railway is the only pub in Wateringbury and Donna, 49 and her offspring have been delivering food seven days a week, with a reduced price menu, taking into account the financial problems some might be facing.

On Sunday, May 10, Donna, the sole chef, cooked 20 roast dinners, and a pudding for just £7.50.

Meals throughout the week cost just £5.

Donna has been manager of the Bow Road establishment for two years before taking on the lease in January, only two months before pubs and restaurants were ordered to shut by the government.

Times have been tough and Suzie is unsure what the future will hold for her family's business.

"It's a difficult time. When we do reopen will people want to come and socialise in the pub because of the fear of the virus?"

She added that some might not have as much cash to spend at pubs, because of money problems bought on by the pandemic.

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