A TV star topped the bill and pulled the first pint on Saturday as a popular village pub was given a new lease of life.

The Duke, formerly known as The Duke of Edinburgh, had stood empty in recent years after many decades as a thriving coastal watering hole at Bacton.

Now new landlords Rob and Nina McMillan have taken on the lease, given it a lift and are planning to put it back on the map for tourists and locals.

They also want it to become once more a stepping-stone for up-and-coming musicians.

At the weekend, Graham Cole, for 25 years a star of the long-running police drama The Bill, pulled the first pint as more than 100 people turned out at the reopening of The Duke.

He was joined by popular singer Jody Ling and her musical associate Lesley.

Mr McMillan, 34, said: 'We love the area so much we decided to go for this pub.

'We have a seven-year renewable lease.

'We are completely renovating this venue and intend having the kitchen and catering facilities up and running in the next few weeks'.

Mr McMillan, from Dover, said he has a great deal of experience with pubs and public venues and was looking forward to encouraging back the customers that used to attend the popular pub.

He said: 'We want to bring back, and re-introduce the platform for musicians, solo and groups, as well as variety performers, which The Duke was once famous for.'

He added: 'It has been a fantastic response and great to see many local families enjoying themselves.'

The opening of The Duke is welcome good news for north Norfolk, coming a few days after it was announced that the popular North Walsham pub The Black Swan, had closed.