The new managers of a pub with a "colourful history" have pledged to make it the beating heart of the community with "something happening all the time".

Paul and Gabby Wimhurst took over the John Brunt pub in Church Street, Paddock Wood at the end of last month.

The couple originally met on the south coast and have run venues in Brighton and Soho but wanted more than just passing trade.

Discussing the inspiration behind their community pub pursuit, Paul said: "We came to have a look at this one and had a look round Paddock Wood and it was perfect for various reasons.

"We wanted a pub where we got to know our publicans and customers and be good friends with them and that's what we saw here."

Paul, 57 and Gabby, 34, have ran four pubs together since getting involved with the drinks trade eight years ago.

Paul, originally from Swanley, said: "We loved pubs. We've always loved pubs so we looked into it and the more we looked the more we wanted to do it.

"People say it's hard but it isn't really but that's probably because we love it."

The pair have moved to the town near Tunbridge Wells and hope to become stalwarts in the community for years to come.

Paul added: "We want to stay here, we are set on that and we haven't been here long. We see this move as an absolute minimum of five years.

"We are completely committed to this pub and this community and I think we'd like to look back in five years time and say we have really integrated into the community and we have done some good for people.

"We've been blown away by the support, it's been the best welcome we've had, people are clearly invested in the pub and they care about it."

The John Brunt VC is England's only pub to be named after a Victoria Cross holder.

Cpt Brunt died in the Second World War the day after an act of gallantry that would earn him Britain's highest honour and the local drinking hole was renamed ion recognition.

The boozer itself has a "colourful history" having once been described by a previous landlord as a "right ****hole" and receiving a less than glowing recommendation from KentOnline's Secret drinker.

But the pub has seen a reversal in fortunes since undergoing a £480,000 refurbishment by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Bars.

"It has been known to have a colourful history and people are particularly keen it doesn't return so there has been lots of support and its hasn't just been with words," said Paul.

"We've had a tremendous turnout everyday since we got here and we've been really grateful for that makes us feel like we're wanted.

"We're walking around at the moment stupidly grinning at ourselves thinking yeah we definitely have the right pub."

Running a pub is becoming increasingly difficult with the current economic climate seeing more and more close over the past year.

But the pub's latest managers have a plan to make sure the John Brunt thrives.

They said: "The pub scene is changing and it now needs to be a space that involves the whole community, be different things at different times and needs to be in a community that wants to be part of it.

"We're looking to use the space of the pub for different things and trying out new things.

"Where we were previously we were very well known for saying yes so if somebody came in and asked can we use your pub for whatever we'd say yes lets give it a go.

"We haven't been here long but we have already had a folk group come in and organised to use the pub as their area on a Monday once a month.

"We have had inquiries from people wanting to use the pub for the board games and dungeons and dragons groups.

"The point is to make sure something is happening all the time and that it hits every part of the community so they feel that there is something going her for them at anytime - making sure its a safe space for everybody. It's their pub not ours."