A peninsula landlord has thanked fellow publicans that helped him after high winds destroyed a shelter and wall outside his pub.

Shane Rolin woke in the early hours of the morning to find the storm which blew in from the west had caused havoc outside the Bristol Arms after winds gusting up to an estimated 60mph.

He spent the morning taking down the remains of the shelter, clearing the bricks and ensuring the rest of the frontage was made safe, with the help of Sarah Pallant and Jamie Barwick from the Rose in Shotley.

"It is just another thing to deal with, if having a pandemic was not enough," said Shane. "But we will just get on with it and move on.

"I'm really grateful to Sarah and Jamie for coming down and helping out, they understand how tough it is for all of us right now and were quick to help out."

This is the second time inside 12 months that the Bristol Arms' wall has been seriously damaged. In April last year a bus driver accidentally knocked over the same wall when he misjudged a turning manoeuvre with his vehicle.

Covid-restriction has meant the Bristol Arms, like many pubs on the peninsula, has been shut since before Christmas and is in the process off considering whether to reopen in April following the governments reopening plan. However, pubs will only be allowed to open outside during a month renowned for showers.

Shane, who is also a volunteer member of the Holbrook Coastguard and Shotley Open Spaces, is keen for the pub to reopen and serve the Shotley Gate community again as soon s possible - with or without a new wall.