A pub which was at threat of closure last year has won an award for its new £30,000 beer garden.

Travellers Friend, in High Road, Woodford Green, won the council-organised Redbridge in Bloom 2014 award for best public house display last week.

The pub had been put up for sale in November 2013 after Bramwell Pubs and Bars Limited was placed in administration, and there were fears the pub could be sold for redevelopment.

Local businessmen Andrew Zacharia and Scott Randall, who have both lived in the area for 44 years, stepped in and bought the pub. which has served the Woodford Green community for nearly 200 years.

Mr Randall said: “It was just a piece of wasteland really to the side of the pub and we thought we could make use of it.

“Everyone loves it and I feel like it has attracted a new clientele to the pub - families and wine drinkers as it is really nice out there."