A couple who upped sticks from Surrey to set up a B&B in a historic former pub say they have been welcomed in Norfolk with open arms.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Angie and Gerry Stocks have opened thier new B&B called The White Horses in Thetford after renovating and refurbishing the orignal property.Angie and Gerry Stocks have opened thier new B&B called The White Horses in Thetford after renovating and refurbishing the orignal property. (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2013)

Angie and Gerry Stocks say the county's wide-open spaces have been a breath of fresh air after they opened the White Horses B&B in Raymond Street, Thetford, at the end of July.

The couple gave up their busy Home Counties life to pursue their dream of running the business and have been delighted by the community feel of Thetford.

'We were living in Surrey for the last 15 years and working in London.

'As soon as we came to Thetford we really loved the feel of it. Even though it was a town, you still feel like you are in the country and everybody has been so nice to us,' Mrs Stocks said.

The couple took on the building eight months ago, transforming its interior into an upmarket boutique B&B.

Having looked into its history, they discovered the building was turned into a pub in 1829, staying that way until the 1920s.

The stables at the back of the building were originally used to house horses from Thetford Fire Service, which was stationed in Cage Lane, in the building which now holds the Dad's Army Museum.

The horse theme has been taken into the names of rooms for the B&B, with guests able to stay in Pegasus, Silver, Orchid, Equus or Shadowfax.

Customers will also be able to take advantage of the B&B's link-up with nearby restaurant, The Mulberry, with a mid-week evening meal deal agreed between the two businesses.

Do you have a new venture we should know about? Let us know by emailing reporter Andrew Fitchett on andrew.fitchett@archant.co.uk