WETHERSPOON has confirmed a further 44 pubs will reopen across the UK from next week - with a number in the North-East.

The pub chain, which opened 394 pubs for outdoor food and drink on April 12, has unveiled the further sites that are opening on April 26.

In the region, the chain has said the Thomas Sheraton in Stockton, William Jameson in Sunderland and High Main, Byker England will reopen next week.

Read more: Wetherspoon opens on-street beer garden at The Cooper Rose in Sunderland 

Nationally, the new pub openings also include locations in Guildford, Ilkeston, Lincoln, Morecambe, Camborne, Driffield, Nottingham and Reading, and London.

Wetherspoon is also opening 60 of its Scotland pubs and 32 in Wales next week and three pubs in Northern Ireland on April 30 - resulting in 533 of its 871 pubs being open.

From April 26 all Wetherspoon pubs, including those that opened on April 12, will also be extending their opening times for an extra hour each day.

Customers will be able to enter the pubs to gain access to the outside area and also to use toilets.

Following the announcement, John Hutson, chief executive of Wetherspoon said: “We are looking forward to opening the extra pubs in England as well as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“We look forward to welcoming our customers and staff back to our pubs.”