Opening hours will be extended at popular Kilwinning pub the Lemon Tree  after their proposals for change were nodded through by licensing chiefs on Monday.

The pub’s new owners started running  the premises last month and have spent around £100,000 on refurbishing the property, North Ayrshire Licensing Board heard.

They have also widened their clientele at the pub in the town’s Main Street during this time with a broader range of people dropping in.

Now they want to increase their opening times at the weekends.

 Pub owners applied to extend opening hours to 1am from Thursday to Saturday and also to open for 8am to provide tea, coffee and breakfasts.

The dining area has been re-opened recently and has been proving very popular with the public.

A representative for the business said: “The owners are looking to tidy up the licence to extend the closing time to 1am from Thursday to Saturday and also to open from 8am for teas, coffees and breakfast. 

“There are no objections to the application.”

Councillor Christina Larsen said: “I think breakfast from 8am is a great idea.”

The proposals were voted through by the Licensing Board.