A COUPLE have taken over a 15th century pub in Torfaen which is reportedly haunted.

Paul and Sallie Adams bought the Horse & Jockey in Usk Road, Pontymoile, to be nearer to their son Ross who works as a sound engineer on Doctor Who in Wales.

The couple ran another thatched pub, called the Fleur De Lys, in the forest village of Pilley, Hampshire, but fancied a change of scenery and have decided to invest £150,000 renovating the local landmark.

The Adams have only had the pub a month and say strange things have already happened.

One evening this week, the assistant manager Amy Courtney felt a presence as she cleaned glasses by herself at the bar.

She thought someone had walked past her and when the 25-year-old looked she saw a “black shadow”.

According to legend, a lady called Maud or Matilda is bricked up in a secret room upstairs.

Mr Adams told the Argus the first floor, accessible through a staircase, is 8ft shorter than the ground floor.

The bricked up room where Maud is alleged to have died is somewhere above the bar.

Next month, the couple will spend around £150,000 improving the premises by renovating an open fire place, building a patio at the back, adding benches and a pizza oven.

Chef David Scarpato promises to serve English food with an Italian twist.

Mrs Adams, a TV makeup artist, said she was charmed by the pub and its surroundings.