AN historic milestone has been unearthed during a refurbishment of a West Devon pub.

Larry Mac, the new landlord of the Royal Standard in Mary Tavy, received a pleasant surprise during the refurbishment of the inn, when an historic milestone was unearthed in the beer garden.

Larry said his parents came down to help with the refurbishments and gardening at the inn, well-used by workers during the Victorian mining boom.

It was during the gardening that the milestone was found, faded by time but clearly showing the distance to Tavistock and Okehampton.

Larry said: 'It was hidden beneath a mound of brambles and we had no idea it was there. It's such a lovely beer garden with views over to the moor — we've brought it back to life with a lot of hard work and it's looking great again.'