One of Gloucestershire's best-known pubs has a new couple pulling pints behind the bar.

Ian and Tina Blake have taken over as landlords at The Highwayman at Elkstone, close to the infamous missing link on the A419 near Birdlip.

The inn is well-known because the Arkell's Brewery-owned pub is featured most evenings on the traffic reports when traffic is starting to back up along the dual carriageway next to the pinch point.

The Highwayman is in fact around a mile away from the well-known traffic hotspot, and one of the last exits for drivers opting to use the more scenic route to Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Ian and Tina (pictured) previously ran The Riverside Inn at Lechlade, also owned by Arkell's.

"We're thrilled to have taken over The Highwayman," said Ian. "It's a fantastic pub with a big car park, so it's perfect for people wanting to stop en-route between the Midlands and the Cotswolds. But, and this is the thing we particularly like about it, we've also got the opportunity to reintroduce the pub to the locals again, especially after a neighbouring pub, The Five Mile House, sadly closed its doors as a pub a year or so back.

"Winstone, and all the Duntisbournes are all close by, and Cirencester's just five miles down the road, so we're looking forward to meeting the locals again."

Arkell's Brewery managing director, George Arkell, said: "Ian and Tina are old hands at running pubs and it's great to have them in charge at The Highwayman. It's a traditional pub owned by our 175-year old family brewery and it deserves landlords who enjoy getting to know the local community."