PICTURES have revealed the progress on the latest Wetherspoon set to open in our region - as work to transform a former pub continues.

Work is well underway to overhaul the former, The Buck Inn on Northallerton's High Street into another one of the national chain's pubs.

Earlier this week contractors could be seen renovating the long vacant venue as workers spruced up its exterior, fitting new fixtures and installing windows.

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Wetherspoon is spending around £2.5m on the refurbishment of the pub, which will retain its former name, and is set to throw open its doors later this year.

The Northern Echo previously reported that the pub was due to open in August 2020, but delays to the actual start date of the work has pushed it back by months.

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Before the news that Wetherspoon was moving into the town had been confirmed, the pub had remained vacant and boarded up for a number of years.

SEE MORE: Wetherspoon start work at Northallerton pub

The Northern Echo: Picture: GOOGLEPicture: GOOGLE

But in September, fresh pictures showing how the newly-transformed The Buck Inn will look were released by the pub chain.

At the time, Wetherspoon also confirmed 50 new full and part-time jobs would be created while revealing the pub will feature a beer garden.

The Northern Echo: Picture: JD WETHERSPOONPicture: JD WETHERSPOON

The chain, which also has a pub in Thirsk, also revealed the overhauled venue will feature have more customer space at 6,500 sq ft.

John Hutson, chief executive of Wetherspoon, said: “We are delighted that development work is to start later this month.

The Northern Echo: Picture: JD WETHERSPOONPicture: JD WETHERSPOON

“We believe the new pub will be a great asset to the area and hopefully act as a catalyst for further investment in Northallerton.

“We are confident that the new pub will appeal to a wide range of people," he added.