A Suffolk pub that has been in existence for more than 200 years will have a new landlord and landlady who have pledged to run the business as a 'traditional pub with a jukebox'.

James Dixson will be taking over the Half Moon in Walton High Street on Friday (November 17) with the aim to make it a venue for events, including charity fundraisers, as well as a traditional ale drinkers pub.

Mr Dixson and his wife Tina currently run the Falcon Inn opposite the Half Moon and saw an opportunity to turn their new acquisition into a community pub.

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He explained that he intended to bring back the beer festival to the Half Moon, as well as inviting community groups to visit, such as a folk music club with 60 members.

In addition, Mr Dixson wished to use the pub's extensive beer garden to host car and motorbike clubs.

The couple used to work at Duras in south-west France where they gained experience in the hospitality trade, before returning to the UK where Mr Dixson worked as a sales manager at Suffolk Sands Holiday Park on Felixstowe seafront.

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He worked at the park for three years before taking over the Falcon in November 2021.

The Half Moon has been running for at least 200 years and was known briefly as the Tap and Spile, much to the annoyance of local residents.

Mr Dixson, 56, said: "We want to create an old school pub with a jukebox. An ale drinkers pub where you can go and have a chat."

He was particularly looking forward to the spring months when he anticipated there would be a lot of people sitting out in the pub's large beer garden.

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He added: "We are just happy to be getting the pub and if you see some of the comments on social media, people are saying they can't wait."

Although they will be running the pub from Friday, an official opening event will be held ten days later.