A PUB in Wetheral has launched a brand new menu that's 'a bit more than your traditional pub grub'.

The Wheatsheaf Inn announced its new menu on social media with the owner Graham Watt explaining the revamp.

He said: "It is just freshening it up. We have had the other menu on for quite a well, maybe a little longer than we usually do, and it is nice to change dishes up.

"We are busy, we get a lot of customers, a lot of repeat customers, so for the repeat customers it is nice just to offer some new dishes.

"The chef has tried to take it up a level this time as we have been really busy with the last menu so this is a bit more, not just your traditional pub grub, but a bit more bistro-y and restaurant-y.

"It has still got your traditional stuff, the staples that can't move, but there is the odd thing on there that is a bit more than what you would get at your average pub."

The menu refresh comes as a number of local pubs continue to struggle, with Dalston's Blue Bell announcing its closure and the Stag Inn at Crosby-on-Eden being made available to rent.

Graham discussed the 'frightening' issues currently facing the pub sector.

He said: "It is a hard business to be in at the moment, it is awful with these other pubs shutting down, it is a sad state of affairs.

"These pubs are the backbone of England. Country pubs are more than just pubs - they are a hub in the community that people use. We get people not necessarily coming in to spend a lot of money but it is nice to see people and have a drink and have a chat.

"Seeing pubs shut down is just horrendous and at the moment the energy costs are crippling so I can see why it is happening. The actual cost of running the business at the minute is frightening.

"The energy costs have gone up around 250 per cent in the last year."