A Hampshire watering hole has closed just months after it was taken over by new landlords.

The Kings Arms pub in Lockerley near Romsey shut its doors with a small goodbye party put on by former landlords Darren Shorney and James Munday.

The pair had only been running the pub, which is owned by Punch Taverns, since February.

They spent weeks redesigning and revamping it before it opened in a bid to attract new punters, but the pair say that they could not get enough custom.

The recent closure follows a chequered past which has seen numerous landlords come and go.

The Kings Arms was previously shut for nearly a year before James and Darren took charge.

Before that it was run by James Pingriff who took over in May 2014.

While the previous landlady Lucy Townsend shut the pub in February 2014 after her partner Alex Lewis contracted a bacterial infection which forced the amputation of all his limbs.

Landlord Darren Shorney, said: “The pub had been closed for nearly a year before we picked it up and it had lost alot of its trade to other pubs and we were finding it difficult to attract those customers back to this pub.

“I would like to thank everybody who used the pub for their support, but I am confident it will reopen in the future and we wish the future landlords well.”

Residents have spoken of their sadness to see the pub close.

Vicar of Lockerley, James Pitkin, said: “It is a disappointment and a temporary loss of a community asset.

“I have been here for 12 years and I have seen it have five different owners. I hope it will be open once again in the future.

“It is a shame because Darren and James put alot of hard work into that place and they were so friendly and welcoming to everyone.”

A spokesperson for Punch Taverns, said: “Following a period of negotiation, we have agreed a exit plan with the current tenants of the Kings Arms which is in the best interests of all concerned.

“We will be re-opening the pub as soon as possible and are currently undergoing the process of recruiting a new long term tenant.”