A NEW restaurant set to open in a former pub will create 18 new jobs.

The Italian chain Prezzo is opening its latest eatery in the former Bull On the Green in The Green, Chingford, later this month.

The firm has spent £500,000 on developing the restaurant inside the grade II listed building, and will offer seating for 182 diners inside and outside when it opens at 4pm on December 20.

Prezzo chief executive Jonathan Kaye said: "I’m confident that people will be impressed with the transformation of the former pub and that the new restaurant will prove popular with people of all ages.

"It will serve the highest quality food in comfortable and stylish surroundings and I’m certain it will be a good addition to the social scene in Chingford."

The restaurant will be open from 12pm to 11pm all week and offers wheelchair access.