One of South East Cornwall's most popular pubs is under new management after St Austell Brewery announced it has purchased the lease of The Eliot Arms, part of the historic Port Eliot Estate, in the village of St Germans.

Taking the reins of the traditional inn will be Stephen and Gillian Mason, who are looking forward to building on the pub's excellent reputation for a warm welcome and good food.

Stephen, aged 41, served for more than 20 years in the Royal Air Force and was most recently stationed at St Mawgan. He got the opportunity to take on the pub after deciding on a career change and enrolling on the Brewery's award-winning training scheme, where his talent for the business was quickly spotted. His wife Gillian, 36, also has a wealth of business experience having spent more than 15 years in the motor industry.  Joining them at the pub is their twelve-year-old son, Jake.

Stephen said: "We're extremely excited about running The Eliot Arms. Managing the pub is something of a career move, but it is something we have both always wanted to do and we're definitely not afraid of hard work.

"We want The Eliot Arms to continue attracting the local customers and at the same time we look forward to welcoming visitors as we build on its reputation for good, home-cooked, locally sourced food and add to this St Austell Brewery's award-winning range of ales and wines."

Founded in 1851, St Austell Brewery is one of only 32 independently family owned Brewers in the UK and is proud of its Cornish heritage. The Eliot Arms takes to 168 the number of pubs, inns and hotels run by the Brewery across the South West.

Adam Luck, St Austell Brewery Estate Director, said: "We are delighted to be taking on The Eliot Arms which is a truly unique property, forming part of Cornwall's most historic estate."

"Stephen hugely impressed our training staff and we're confident that he and Gillian will make a great job of running the pub. We very much want the Eliot Arms to retain its unique character while benefiting from a warm welcome, high standards of customer service and great ales and food which are the hallmarks of St Austell Brewery pubs."

Patrick Aubrey-Fletcher, resident agent for the Port Eliot Estate said: "The Estate looks forward to working with St Austell Brewery in developing the business at the Eliot Arms and in particular as we prepare to welcome visitors to the Port Eliot Estate which will be open to the public from March 1 2008."