FORMER gardener Jonathan McCool (pictured right) is cultivating a new career as the landlord of Newton Abbot’s famous Cider Bar.

He has switched from tending green acres to looking after amber nectar at the popular East Street watering hole.

As a thirsty toiler he would frequently hot-foot it from paving slabs and flower beds to the classic inn where he even had his own ‘locals’ pot.

He was eventually lured from soil shifting and shrubs to work behind the bar at his favourite haunt and now he’s master of all he surveys with fiancee Kim Leonard, who left her management job at Mothercare to help look after their new ‘baby’.

The duo, with a ten-year lease which had a guide price of between £50-70,000, succeed popular landlord Richard Knibbs, who has quit the publican game after more than 40 years at the pumps.

Mr McCool, 27, and Ms Leonard, 26, have promised not to change the hostelry’s unique charm, although they are planning live music and themed food nights.

They took over on Friday and since then it has been a bit on the hectic side.

Me McCool, who grew up in Kingskerswell and Newton Abbot, said: ‘It’s been very busy. We are running the pub and trying to move into the accommodation above. I don’t think our feet have touched the ground yet.’

The freehold of the premises was up for grabs in the region of £500,000 when it was initially put on the market 18 months ago.

Just four years ago the Campaign for Real Ale voted the place Britain’s best cider and perry pub.