THE NEW landlord of a Forest pub will get out from the bar and behind the mike on opening night this Friday.

Andy Middlecote – who is better known as Jabba – and his wife Emma have taken over the King's Head in the centre of Blakeney.

Former professional singer Andy will give the locals a blast of his vocals as part of a weekend of events to mark the re-opening of the pub.

It will also include a children's entertainer on Saturday afternoon and a singer on Saturday evening.

Andy said: "I had The Swan in Cinderford for five years and I went to Turkey where I met Emma."

The couple returned to live in Emma's hometown of Blackpool and moved back to the Forest as they have two young children, four-year-old Oliver and Callum who is two.

Andy said: "The quality of life in the Forest is so good and when the King's Head came up we jumped at the chance.

"We want it to be a family pub and a place with a reputation for food.

"We have taken on Dougie Smith as chef who used to be at The Ostrich (in Newland)."

The couple say they want to champion Forest produce and drink at the pub.