A PUB which co-ordinated a massive fund-raising effort to help refugees in war-torn Kosovo has just undergone a face-lift.

The Britannia on Flixton Road, Urmston, has been a favourite with regulars over the years and hit the national headlines last year when it organised the relief effort.

Now the local has new owners and has returned to its roots with a 1930s art deco theme after the five week overhaul costing in the region of £200,000.

And it opened its doors to the public again on Monday with the promise of more fund-raising efforts to come in the future.

Many locals will remember that it was in 'The Brit' that a casual conversation took place between five men, including pub manager Kevin Strickland, that escalated into one of the largest community relief efforts Britain had ever seen.

After Urmstonians rallied and collected over 500 tons of aid, 50 trucks left the town and headed for the eastern European province - the pub even now has two refugee camps named after it.

Now the pub has been given a fresh lick of paint with the makeover including a new function room with full disabled access and capable of handling over 50 guests - as well as a new outdoor seating area.

Commenting on the new look, manager for the last two years Kevin Strickland said: "It's been tremendous to see the Brit come back to life again and I'm sure the locals will love it.

"It is likely that we will soon be back organising local events to raise money for deserving causes - though we can't guarantee we'll be making the regional and national headlines again!"

Joint managing director of new owners the Clarinbridge Pub Company, Dee White added: "The Britannia is a classic example of a local pub at the heart of the community that needed some 'TLC'.

"This refurbishment takes the Brit into the Year 2000 whilst retaining it's heritage."

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