A MUCH-missed country pub is to be revived by its owners.

The Comet, in Hurworth Place, closed in February but its new landlords have vowed to restore it in time for the summer.

The pub, which is next to the River Tees on the North Yorkshire and County Durham border, has changed hands several times in the past few years.

Sue and Ian Kemble, who own the award-winning Fighting Cocks, in Middleton St George, plan to reopen The Comet next month.

"We're going to start work on The Comet within the next two or three weeks, " said Mrs Kemble.

"We're planning to have a traditional English menu, specialising in pies and savoury puddings.

"I've dug out lots of old fashioned recipes to use. We'll be giving it a bit of a facelift.

"It's in a great location and I can't see why it hasn't worked in the past."