Ashley Spencer, 26, and pal Shane Allnutt, 25, have taken over the Yorkshire Volunteer pub, one of their favourite haunts.

Experienced publicans Ashley and Shane took over the lease of the Calder Road pub from friends Rachel and Steve Woodhead, who also run the Shoulder of Mutton pub in Lee Green.

Ashley said: "We have known them a few years and they knew we wanted to come back to Mirfield for a business. We were looking at doing it in a few years and it came around quite quickly.

"They have a three-year-old son and they were finding it hard to run two pubs with a family. "

Shane said: "They gave us a fantastic opportunity take it on and we would like to thank them."

Both Shane and Ashley grew up in Mirfield and are former Mirfield Free Grammar School pupils.

The lads are looking forward to putting on new events for their regulars, who they say have been very supportive since they took over.

Shane said: "The regulars have found it good – we have had a good mix of old and new faces. We are going to be doing a lot of charity events and we're going to have theme nights once a month.

"We will also be putting on Play Your Cards Right on Sunday afternoons – they have all been asking for that."

Ashley said: "We are two young lads and we get on with everyone. It used to be such a youngsters' pub but now it's all age ranges and the good thing is they all enjoy the same nights."

The two say they are committed to making the pub an enjoyable place for their customers to go.

Ashley added: "I would say you have to have a sensible head on you.

"There are lots of things you have to learn when you go from management into leasing. It has been a bit of a shock to us!"