The new owners of an east Suffolk village pub said it was “standing room only” during a celebration of its reopening.

Andy and Carol Wright, who took over the Old Chequers Inn in Friston last month, said the pub was “absolutely packed” for Thursday’s open day event.

The couple said they have spent more than £60,000 on refurbishing the pub, which had fallen into disrepair during two years of closure, and they were pleased to show the villagers the transformation that had taken place.

Mr Wright said the event was a “big success”. “Everyone was delighted the pub was open again and we had people coming up and shaking our hands as they left,” he added.

Special guests at the event included the Woodbridge mayor Geoff Holdcroft and Therese Coffey, who brought her own silver tankard.