The owner of The Horns pub in Watford is retiring after 14 years

Pam Rice, 61, is handing over the popular pub and live music venue at the top of town to mum and daughter team Jan and Jane Giles.

She said: "When we took it over The Horns was just a very small pub that didn’t do music. In the last 14 years we have grown from there into the best live music venue in Hertfordshire.

"There haven’t been any lows, just massive highs and making so many friends. Some of our staff have been with me from day one.

"We had a massive refurbishment to increase our capacity to 250 - which has helped us attract some great bands. I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved here. It’s very emotional leaving. But I’m leaving it in very safe hands."

Over the years, music greats such as Paul Young, Georgie Fame, Dr Feelgood, Wilko Johnson and Chas and Dave have performed on The Horns stage.

While new Watford talent, including three-sister act The Staves, who have recently announced their European tour, gave some of their first performances at the award winning music venue.

The Horns has also been featured on EastEnders several times, most memorably for Pam when the BBC production crew took over the pub for three days to film a Kat and Alfie storyline.

Pam, who lives in Kings Langley, is set to enjoy her retirement playing golf and spending more time at her home in Spain.

Bar manager Jane Giles, 39, has worked at the Hempstead Road pub for six years - and knew she’d eventually run the place from her first day at The Horns.

The West Watford mum-of-one said: "We’re going to continue running the pub like it is now - why change something that works brilliantly.

"The Horns has become an institution in Watford.

"I am so excited I could nearly burst - I love this pub. This has been my dream for the last six years and my lovely mum is supporting me."

Jane’s mum Jan, 60, has worked at The Horns for the past two years, while her daughter, Georgia, 21, is also working there.

Pam’s free entry leaving do will be held on Saturday, March 28, and she is hoping customers past and present will go along to enjoy one of her favourite bands, Five Fold Kiss.

The Giles family grand opening will be Saturday, April 4.