Many moons ago, the Ring o' Bells – the pub next to Warrington parish church – used to be one of my regular watering holes.

The quiz team I played for called the Grade II listed building home for a number of years.

But my recent visit was the first time in many years I had stepped inside the Church Street watering hole and I was amazed at the transformation.

Gone was the rabbit warren of tiny little rooms to be replaced by a swish refurbishment, opening up the space and giving the inside a bright, modern feel.

It's true to say that the pub's setting on a cobbled street and next to St Elphin's Church would not look out of place if it was all picked up and dropped down in the Cotswolds.

But this is Warrington and the Ring o' Bells is handily placed for anyone wanting a relaxing drink or a bite to eat after a hard hour or two doing the weekly shop at the Sainsbury's over the road.

My partner and I were greeted warmly by the friendly staff and it became apparent very quickly that this is a pub that is well used and well liked by the locals.

The food on offer is very traditional pub fare, as you would expect, with steaks, gammon and mixed grill on offer.

The range of burgers is extensive and somewhat unusually, there is also a selection of giant hot dogs available.

And on Sundays the traditional roast lunch is a particular favourite.

To be honest, I couldn't find much on the menu that would tempt a vegetarian. That's not a problem for me and I suspect it's not a problem with most of the pub's regular clientele but maybe a few more meat-free offerings would be welcome

Sadly, I turned up with the start of a cold so being offered a table near the open fire was most welcome.

My partner and I elected to share a starter of cheesy nachos with an assortment of dips, which strangely seemed to amuse one of the drinkers at a nearby table who enquired exactly what it was we were eating.

For our main course, I went for the ribeye steak served with roasted vine tomatoes and mushrooms, while my partner picked the vegetable pie – vegetables in a ratatouille-style sauce topped with puff pastry. We were offered a choice of fries or skin-on chips to accompany the meal and both elected to go for the chips.

The meals came with a selection of vegetables served separately.

My steak was cooked exactly how I asked for it to be done and I cleared my plate.

Sadly, my partner's somewhat smaller appetite meant the ample portion size of her meal proved too much.

A special word of praise must go to the drinks on offer with a Coach House brewery exclusive beer cask beer called Bellringer but I preferred the other Coach House beer on offer called Cracker Barrel. And unusually, one of the 'house' lagers was the seldom-seen in pubs Birra Moretti.