A coastal pub steeped in the lore of smugglers has been given a new lease of life with a £600,000 facelift.

Marsden Grotto, south Tyneside, now called the Tavistock at the Grotto, re-opens on Friday.

The grotto, which has a history as a public house stretching back centuries, had been completely run down when it was taken over by Tavistock Leisure last year.

It first opened in 1782, when an Allendale lead miner nicknamed Jack the Blaster came to work in the limestone quarries at Marsden and became the first occupant.

The naturally-created cave became a favourite haunt of the smugglers who worked along the stretch of coast. In 1828, a ballroom was dug out of the rock and a hotel created.

It closed in 2000 after a row between the former tenants and owners Vaux and Pubmaster, which was settled out of court.

The new Grotto has a seafood restaurant and bars, with a heated terrace giving customers a stunning view in all weathers.