THE landlord of a popular Thurrock pub will be leaving the borough for a new challenge in the new year.

For six years former Hassenbrook School student Hayden Leavers has been the passionate and charismatic landlord at Greene King's Sandmartin on Drake Road in Chafford Hundred.

Hayden, who featured on Nub News last year talking about the challenge of bouncing back after lockdown, will be moving to a pub in Southend in January.

Hayden says: "I've been here for more than six years and it has been the most challenging and most rewarding time of my life. I love this pub, it's been my life and I love my job!

"However, all good things comes to an end and I will be going managing a new pub in January. I will be having a leaving party in January (date to be confirmed) but until then please come down throughout Christmas and the New Year, come say hi and let's make this the best ever.

"I'd like to thank everyone at this incredible pub and to every single member of my team that I've worked with through the years, I couldn't have done this without you. I've grown so much as a person because of you all."