Kim Abrey has never pulled a pint in her life - but that will not stop her taking charge of an Oxford pub this week.

Mrs Abrey, 47, and her family are moving into the Red Lion, in Oxford Road, Old Marston, and the former crossword compiler is promising to make the pub a place for everyone.

She said: "It will be a case of keeping the existing clientele, but also trying to bring more local people into the pub.

"We're going to focus more on food and create a different atmosphere in the lounge, making it a quieter place for people to sit and chat, while keeping the bar more sports-orientated.

"We want to make it very much a community pub where everyone feels welcome, and if people have ideas about things they would like to see then we will listen to them."

Mrs Abrey, who admits running the pub will be a big change, will be working alongside husband Keith, 57, and their two children Dan, 20, and Becky, 17.

She said: "We got to the point where we needed a change.

"We wanted to move and set up a business together and when the opportunity came up to come to the Red Lion we jumped at it.

"I've never worked behind a bar before and neither has my husband.

"I'm a little nervous but I'm sure it will be alright.

"It was actually my son's idea. He was working in the bar and came home and told us about it and we thought it would be a good idea."

They are taking over the pub from former landlord Steve Jenkins, who has moved on after three-and-a-half years to take over the Chequers Inn, in Headington Quarry, Oxford.

Mrs Abrey said: "There are a lot of elderly people in the area and we want to do something for them, which is why we will be offering discount on meals and perhaps even an OAP day.

"We just want people to come in and check out what we are doing and have a chat. We want it to be a place for everyone and I'm looking forward to meeting all our new regulars."