A DALES pub reopens next week under new ownership and with new faces behind the bar.

The Craven Arms at Appletreewick is now co-owned by David Aynesworth, while Ashley and Hayley Crampton provide the welcome to the historic building.

The pub has been closed for three weeks, but reopens on Thursday December 1 after being restored. Fireplaces have been reopened, internal walls replaced, flagged floors and beamed ceilings replaced and gas lighting installed.

Original doors have been refitted - including one which was recaptured from as far away as Hebden!

The pub used to belong to the Dales' answer to Dick Whittington, Sir William Craven.

Sir William was born to a poor family in Appletreewick and as a young boy hitched a ride to London on a merchant's cart. He found a job and worked his way up to make his fortune, eventually becoming the Lord Mayor of London in 1610-11. On his return to his birthplace he restored High Hall, laid the road to Burnsall, restored Burnsall Bridge, restored St Wilfrid's Church and founded and built Burnsall School.

The Craven Arms was part of his estate and served as the court leet - where magistrates heard cases of petty crime - until 1926.

Over the next year there are plans to build a 14th century cruck-built thatched barn on the site, subject to planning approval, providing extended dining facilities/function room and improved toilets.