Mark Jones, 31 served for eight years in the First Battalion The Prince of Wales' Own Regiment of Yorkshire from 1997 to 2005.

 

He has renamed the Potters Wheel on The Parade, Clough Fields Road, The Yorkshireman.

 

He has also overhauled the interior with new carpets, furniture, curtains and a new kitchen and opened the doors about two weeks ago.

 

He served up his first lot of Sunday lunches last Sunday and was fully booked and the same people have put their names down for another meal this weekend.

 

Mark's parents Linda and Steve, of Harley, both have experience of running pubs and are helping him with his new venture.

 

His mum Linda is in charge of the cooking and with a Ready Steady Cook title to her name, Mark says the food has been pulling in the punters.

 

He said the previous landlord hadn't looked after the pub but since it has been renovated people in the area have been returning; some who have not been in the pub for years have been coming in all week.

 

Mark said: "I think it is very important to have a pub here and I want it not just to be a family pub, I want everybody to come and enjoy themselves."