A SPECIAL gathering of people who have one particular feature in common has been held at a North Yorkshire pub.

No fewer than 60 local people bearing Britain's most popular surname were invited to mark the re-opening of the Smiths Arms at Beckwithshaw, Harrogate.

They were wined and dined at the refurbished pub which bears their name, by landlord and landlady Richard and Susan Hudson, and had the chance to meet some of their local namesakes.

For one pair of Smiths - John and Diana, from Abbey Road, Knaresborough - it was a particularly poignant evening as they held their wedding reception at the Smith's Arms in March 1967.

Mr Smith said: "Tonight brought back very happy memories. It think it looks fantastic after the refurbishment.

"They have improved the place considerably without it losing any of its distinctive character."

Mr Hudson said: "We wanted to mark our reopening with a special event, and thought what better than to invite local people to the pub that bears their name?

"Everyone who attended had an excellent time."

As part of the revamp the pub's kitchens have been fitted with the very latest equipment to allow the team of four chefs to produce a wide range of quality fresh food in quick time.

Its features also include disabled toilets and disabled parking spaces, a large patio area for warm nights, and log fires for when winter comes.

Picture - FAMILY AFFAIR: A crowd of 60 Smiths from North Yorkshire raise a glass to the reopening of the Smith's Arms at Beckwithshaw, Harrogate