MALDON’S pub scene “is on the up” according to the town’s Campaign for Real Ale group after the refurbishment of a High Street pub was completed.

Pub owners Shepheard Neame has just finished refurbishment of the White Horse in High Street.

A new landlady has also been appointed after previous tenants Ray and Darren Walter handed in their notice and left in December.

Another High Street pub – The Swan – is undergoing refurbishment after tenants Yan and Lorrain Fiddian moved on.

It is not known how long work on the Grade II listed building, which dates back to the 15th century, is due to take.

Maldon CAMRA chairman, Chris Harvey, said: “Shepherd Neame has evidently spent a considerable sum refurbishing the White Horse; it looks very good indeed.

“I was shown around by the new landlady, Jayne and was struck by how light and airy the place now looks.

“The bedrooms are excellently furnished and I'm sure will be very popular with visitors to Maldon.

“There is a good range of ales available and the food menu looks very tempting.

“The pub scene is definitely on the up in the town right now, and things will improve even more when the Swan Hotel reopens soon.

“We will definitely need to do a revised version soon of the Maldon Real Ale Trail, which is available at the Maldon Tourist Information Centre.”