Customers are already making the most of Sheppey’s new Wetherspoon pub.

The Belle and Lion opened its doors in Sheerness at 8am today.

Managers Kelly and Chris Smith welcomed the guests along with some of their staff.

First in the queue was David Rowe, from Eastchurch.

He works at B A Fitch newsagent in the town and had stopped in on the way.

The 21-year-old said he wanted to check it out and thinks it looks great.

Among the other first punters into the bar were Julian Lillington and his son Jay, 11.

They are from Dagenham but say they love the chain and often travel to new ones when they first open.

The 45-year-old said: “I’m a Wetherspoon fan and we like visiting them.

“It’s nice food, good service and reasonable prices.”

The £1.2 million refurbishment of the former Brittain and Hobbs shop in the High Street was approved in February and has created around 60 jobs.