Mike Hall and Bryan Riley have been drinking in the same Carlisle pub for almost 100 years combined.

They've seen the Crown Inn at Stanwix change hands several times and the decor change a little less, but the pair have given the pub's new look the big thumbs up.

The Crown just reopened this weekend following a six-week closure to undergo a major refurbishment under new owners Dianne and Iain Irving.

The couple, who also run the White Mare, in Beckermet, said they want to make the Crown a pub that both Stanwix and the wider Carlisle area are proud off.

They moved from Stanwix in 2015 to take over the White Mare, where they've had great success and won several awards.

An official reopening of the Crown was held on Saturday and among the first people to get their pints were Mike and Bryan.

Mike, 54, of Knowe Park Avenue, has been familiar with the pub since he was just five years old.

"My mum Sheila used to clean in here when I was young," he said.

"I've been drinking here since I was 14 because I used to play in the cricket team.

"It's fantastic the way it looks, a complete change. It's just what it needed."

Bryan, 80, of Cheviot Road, agreed.

"It's beautiful the way they've done it, they've done a real good job. I've got no problem with it. But we've really missed it since it has been closed."

Dianne and her husband will not be the only familiar faces in the new team. Rhona Bill, who grew up in the Crown when her mum Pam ran the pub in the 1980s, has returned as the new general manager.

"We had some family and friends in on the Friday night before fully opening and the response has been great," she said.

"One guy came in and said he'd been saving up all his change since we shut six weeks ago ready for the reopening.

"The regulars seem very happy and the place looks really fresh."

The renovation has saw the bar move positions from the centre of the pub and in the process doing away with its two rooms, creating one big open space.

They also plan on showing live sport, having entertainment in regularly and will serve food in the New Year.

"There's been nothing in the area in terms of a community pub while it's been closed," Rhona added.

"My mum is also pleased that I'm following in her footsteps."