Work is set to begin on a £1m refurbishment of a popular village pub.

The Spitfire, in Liberty Square, Kings Hill, will close for radical alteration works on Monday, March 5 to reopen at the end of April.

Changes will include the separation of the ground floor into three dining areas around a central bar, a refitted kitchen, and new decor.

The Shepherd Neame pub was built in 1999 on a former Battle of Britain RAF base, a history that inspired its name, which is shared by the brewery’s range of Spitfire beers.

The famous aircraft has also influenced plans for the pub’s new signage, a painted profile of a Spitfire on the outside of the building.

A hand-painted swing sign featuring the World War Two era fighter plane will also be added.

The first floor, which is currently another dining and drinking area for customers, will be turned into a function room with its own bar, accommodating up to 100 people.

It will be completely refurbished, along with the current smaller function rooms on the first floor and second floors, both accommodating up to 20.

Outside, a new awning will be installed at the front of the pub, covering a new dining area.

Another covered dining terrace will also be built in the garden.

Nigel Bunting, director of retail and tenanted operations at the brewery, said: “This year marks the 100 anniversary of the RAF, so we seem to have chosen a fitting time to reinvigorate this popular pub.

"We would like to thank our customers for their patience during the closure, and hope they will agree it was worth the wait when the new-look Spitfire opens in a couple of months.”