The landlord behind a village pub famous for its history and seafood is selling up after almost 40 years behind the bar.

James Buss - owner of The Dering Arms - took over the historic venue in Pluckley, near Ashford, when he was just 27 years old.

Since then the father-of-two has seen the pub through recessions, smoking bans and the pandemic, but now, after four decades, he is preparing to swap pulling pints for retirement.

“I was managing The Bell at Smarden when this came up for sale,” he recalled.

“I knew the pub because I grew up in Egerton and we used to cycle down here and leave our bikes behind the back and get the train to Ashford.

“It was more than I could afford but there were a couple of customers at The Bell who said if I ever want to do anything to give them a shout which I did.

“They came in financially with me so we were third equal partners.

“I managed to buy them out in 1986 so it has been mine ever since.

“When I bought this place I was the youngest landlord at the time, I think I'm probably the oldest now.“

The 67-year-old has built up the pub, which is next to the train station, over the years, and it now doubles up as a seafood restaurant and wine bar.

He picks up the fresh ingredients from Folkestone Harbour each week and has become a familiar face with locals.

But after 40 years on the go, Mr Buss feels now is the right time to retire.

“It may take some time to unwind the business side of things, and I haven't had a proper holiday since 2015,” he explained.

“It will be sad to go; I don't really want to but age and health are catching up with me and I don't want to end up having to close because I can't cope.

“I want it to go on to someone else while it's still bouncing.

“The loyalty I have had over the years has been brilliant.

“I love my customers – that's the only reason why I have been here for so long; they are my family.

“I don’t know what will happen to it but it worries me for my customers.

“It would be a shame to see it change after all these years, but we will wait and see.”

One of the reasons the pub stands out, Mr Buss says, is because of the building’s rich history.

“There is nothing else like it - it's unique,” he said.

“It was built in 1840 by the Dering family.

“They had lots of money at the time and they instigated the railway station which also came through here in 1840.

“This was their hunting lodge to greet their guests and royals off the train.

“When I first came here there was a bell on the front door which went through to the stables so if anyone came in with their coach and horses, the stable boy could come down and collect them

“It was built to look like the main manor house so when the guests got off the train it looked like the manor but in miniature.”

Pluckley is famous for being one of the most haunted villages in Britain and The Dering Arms is no stranger to the unexplained.

“It is possible it's haunted,” said Mr Buss.

“I’m quite logical and there are reasons behind the things that go bump in the night, but there have been a few things you can't explain.

“With my first wife in the carriage house, which was our family house, I was doing breakfast and I took her over a cup of coffee one morning.

“She said ‘thanks for tucking me in, that was really comforting’, but I had been making breakfast all morning and it wasn't me.

“She felt someone physically tucking her in and I can’t explain that one.”

The pub also comes with three guest rooms and a beer garden and is expected to hit the market for £800,000 in the coming weeks.