The popular Bell Hotel pub in Norwich is to close for 16 weeks as part of millions of pounds worth of refurbishments on the building.

Part of the Wetherspoon chain, £2.35 million will be spent to expand the pub above the Santander bank next door. The bank will remain open.

As part of the refurbishment the pub will temporarily close to customers on Sunday February 26 and during this time staff will work at other branches in the city.

The refurbishment will result in an additional 1,500 square foot of space. The garden is also being extended and a new kitchen, new toilets and new bar will be installed.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: 'The Bell Hotel was our first pub to open in Norwich and continues to be extremely popular.

'We are committed to giving our customers the best pub possible and as a result are carrying out the extension and refurbishment.

'We apologies to our customers that the pub will be shut for a number of weeks, however, we are confident that they welcome the new-look pub.'

Parts of the Bell Hotel are believed to date back to the 15th century.

It has been known as the Bell Hotel or the Blue Bell since at least 1696 and at one point in the 18th century was renowned for hosting cockfighting.

In the 1750s it was a meeting point for the Hellfire Club, while during the Second World War it was the headquarters for the American Women's Army Air Corps.

After a spell of being shut, it re-opened in 1993, becoming the first JD Wetherspoon venue in Norwich.

Customers are being urged to visit the chain's other venues in the city centre - The Glasshouse in Tombland and The Queen of Iceni at Riverside, during the refurbishment.