THEY ARE the popular husband-and-wife team who are already making their mark - just three months after taking over a historic pub.

Carl and Debbie Millward are the new licensees at The Borough Arms, a landmark building in Avenue Road, Lymington, that is thought to have been a pub since the mid-19th century.

Customers include long-time Lymington residents who have never been tempted to visit the traditional watering hole until now.

Others have followed Carl and Debbie from their previous pub - The Royal Oak at nearby Downton.

Carl, 59, and Debbie, 55, ran the popular watering hole for three years after returning to England in 2014 following more than two decades in the US.

In 2017 the couple decided it was time for a change.

They heard that The Borough Arms had become available - and plans to give the building a major facelift convinced them to make the move.

Due to be carried out in May the work will include improvements to the building's exterior and interior, with a new-look kitchen high on the list of priorities.

Debbie, who is currently the pub's cook, hopes the scheme will enable her to expand the food side of the operation.

Outlining her vision for the business she said: "I envisage a family/community pub serving great food, including a carvery.

"There's a really good community around here and the pub itself has a nice homely feel. It needs to a pub, not a restaurant, while serving food at the same time."

Owned by Admiral Taverns, The Borough Arms is in the town centre and only a short drive from the Wightlink ferry terminal.

Anna Clissold, business development manager for Admiral Taverns in the New Forest, said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have Debbie and Carl on board.

"They are already starting to put their own stamp on this traditional community pub, which is great to see."