THE Rising Sun in Devizes is to open for ther first time in six months when landlord Gary MacMartin, who runs The Four Seasons pub in the town, becomes the new licensee.

The pub, in Southbroom Road, has been closed since last July when previous tenant Brian Foster became concerned about health and safety in the pub.

It had only been open for two months and more than £160,000 had been spent on refurbishment by Mr Foster, who also owns Devizes Snooker Club, and the pub's owners, Punch Taverns.

Before Mr Foster became the tenant, the pub, formerly Munnelly's, had been standing empty for nine months after the previous tenant Bill Montgomery left.

Mr MacMartin said he intends to carry on as the tenant at the Four Seasons in High Street which he has run for three years. He said he did not want to say much this week until the agreement to take over at the Rising Sun was finalised, but he hoped the pub would be open in time for Easter.

A spokesman for Punch Taverns confirmed that Mr MacMartin was to be the new tenant.

He said the firm is looking forward to the pub opening again.