PUB operator Definnitive Leisure yesterday announced the first phase of a £500,000 refurbishment scheme.

The owner of The Wessex Taverns chain, based in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, has appointed David King and his interiors firm Fluid Design Solutions to carry out the work.

Mr King worked for the pub group 42nd Street Bars in the 1990s, which was later acquired by Wessex Taverns.

Definnitive Leisure managing director Harry Costigan said: "His in-depth knowledge and design experience of many of our pubs will give him and his team a headstart for this latest project.

"We have given Fluid Design Solutions a brief to freshen up the interiors and they have come up with some exciting ideas.

"Initially, we are starting with six bars, but it is likely we will extend the project to include other pubs later this year."

The first phase of the improvement programme involves the redesign of 42nd Street and Prague, in Whitley Bay, Vienna in Middlesbrough, Raffles, in South Shields, South Tyneside, The Pheonix, in Cramlington, Northumberland, and The Tavern, in Melksham, Wiltshire.

Mr King said: "It is great to be involved with these bars again. The chain has some prime position venues and we are delighted to be redesigning and updating them."