Plans to transform a former high street bank into a pub are moving forward.

Jamie Clark and Tom Mudge, who run the Dead Pigeon micropub in Rochester, are hoping to take over an empty bank in Rainham to open a second much bigger premises.

They revealed their plans for the former Barclays last week and now an application has been submitted to Medway Council for change of use of the building.

If their proposal gets the go ahead, they will create a pub serving food which will cater for about 100 seated customers.

They plan to serve their giant burgers which are popular at their current High Street bar, alongside a cocktail menu and about 100 craft beers.

They have applied to change the use of the ground floor from financial services (class E) to a mixed-use food and drink establishment.

If they get the green light, they hope to open later this year after an eight to 12-week refit.

The upstairs floor will initially be used as offices but the business partners hope to eventually convert it into a function room where live entertainment can be performed.

The proposed opening hours for the yet to be named pub, are 9am to 11pm Monday to Thursday and bank holidays, 9pm to 1am Fridays and Saturdays and 9am to 10pm on Sundays.

The landmark building is opposite The Cricketers and White Horse pubs – The Railway Wetherspoon's hostelry is in nearby Station Road.

Barclays closed the branch in October last year, 102 years after it opened as the London and Provincial Bank, which became part of Barclays in 1918.

With the friends growing up in the town, attending the Howard School together, they say their new venture is close to their hearts.

Jamie said: "It's been a bank there for as long as I can remember. I've walked past it and used it for years.

"We've been looking at Rainham for some time. A lot of our existing customers come from around this area and have asked when are we going to move here.

"When it came up we couldn't turn it down. There's not much that needs doing, just more interior work like installing a kitchen."

People have until the end of May to have their say on the application which can be viewed on the Medway planning website here.