THE licensees of an historic Stourport pub -- badly damaged when a bus and Land Rover crashed into its walls earlier this year -- have raised a glass to its new look.

More than £20,000 has been spent on the facelift at The Astley Cross Inn, Areley Common, after the vehicles struck the building in March.

Christine and Barry Edwards, who have been at the pub for 14 months, joined their customers to help people caught up in the accident after hearing the collision.

The pub, which is more than 160 years old, has had the serious structural damage it suffered repaired, at a cost of £8,000, and its beer garden has undergone an extensive revamp.

Doors to the renovated outside space, which includes new seating, fencing and an area specially created for smokers ahead of the introduction of a national ban in public places next year will be officially opened tomorrow.

Mrs Edwards said the extensive work had not stopped her from pulling pints and stressed it had been "business as usual" since the frightening incident.

The 61-year-old explained: "We never closed throughout the past few months, no matter how traumatic things got. Now we are fully recovered things are better than ever.

"We thought we would get ready early for the coming smoking ban and we think the Astley Cross is one of the first pubs in the area to have a dedicated outside smoking area."

Mr Edwards, also 61, said: "It has been a lot of hard work but it has all been worth it. Our regulars have been fantastic.

"They have been very supportive throughout all the work and they are happy with the improvements we have made."