Beers and banter are set to return to a lost pub where time was last called almost a century ago.

Friends Hugh Robinson and Marc Kent have been handed the keys of the old Star Inn in Shoreham High Street as they look to open the town's first micropub.

The pair, who have no previous pub trade experience, are hopeful of opening the Old Star Ale and Cider House by the end of June or beginning of July after six weeks of building work is carried out.

Mr Robinson, a window cleaner from Peacehaven, and Mr Kent, a toastmaster from Heathfield, have known each other since primary school.

They were granted planning permission back in September but have been held up with ironing out details with the lease and applying for licences.

The move would return the site to its historical roots where evidence indicates a pub has existed since 1350.

They plan to knock in two unused shop units formerly occupied by a kitchen and bathroom fitting firm behind Paradise Pets to create a traditional drinking establishment.

The no-nonsense pub will serve a range of locally produced real ales and ciders with some simple pub food such as pork pies and local cheeses with seating for up to 25 people.

What customers won't be getting is lager, alcopops, TVs, blaring music or gambling machines.

Opening times for the pub would be from mid-morning until 10pm.

The pub is hoping to be the latest in the micropub trend which is beginning to grow in Sussex with the Anchored In Worthing while plans have also been submitted by two Hove couples to open Brighton and Hove's first micropub in Richardson Road.

Mr Robinson said: “I had been considering launching my own microbrewery before my friend mentioned the concept of a micropub to me about a year ago and I just thought that was the way to go.

“I am hoping this will be my pension, it will be a nice way to finish off the next few years.

“We want to return the back room almost into how it would have been a century ago.”

For more information visit the Old Star Ale and Cider House Facebook page.