A smokehouse that dates back more than 150 years has opened its doors once more after an extensive refurbishment.

Smoking fish ever since 1870, Waveney Valley Smoked Products is open in Lowestoft once more.

Lowestoft Journal: Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesWaveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The site, on Newcombe Road, uses traditional techniques to cure and smoke herring.

Lowestoft Journal: Peter Colby at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesPeter Colby at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

New owner Peter Colby said: "I bought the building from Sam Cole about five years ago and I leased it out, but six months ago I bought the business.

"My father George William Colby was the last steam drifter skipper out of Lowestoft, sailing in the drifter named ‘Prime’ LT 77 - so fishing is in my blood.

Lowestoft Journal: Peter Colby with staff at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesPeter Colby with staff at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"We closed for 13 weeks while we did extensive building work to bring the building up to the latest high standard and are now enjoying a more modern, fresher and up to date factory."

Mr Colby added: "We have had a new hot kiln installed making it a total of four hot kilns to complement two cold kilns - with plans for two more.

Lowestoft Journal: Inside Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesInside Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Picture: Mick Howes)

"We also have a brand new, purpose-built defroster and freezer that is about to be completed."

With the traditional cold kilns producing "delicious and much sought-after kippers and haddock", Mr Colby said: "We retained the staff during the refurbishment and have been delighted to see our customers also remaining loyal, reordering and returning to buy now that we are open again."

Lowestoft Journal: Staff working at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesStaff working at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With a website for online sales to soon be set up, Mr Colby said: "We still get some herring from local fishermen, but we also get fish from other ports.

"The Lowestoft Herring are smaller than others, but they are sweet herring and really good.

Lowestoft Journal: Peter Colby at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesPeter Colby at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"We smoke herring, mackerel, salmon, haddock, cod and trout fillets - some are hot smoked and some cold."

Lowestoft Journal: Staff working at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesStaff working at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With 10 staff employed, Mr Colby added: "I would like to resurrect packing Lowestoft kippers in boxes and sending them in the post or similar.

Lowestoft Journal: Peter Colby at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesPeter Colby at Waveney Valley Smoked Products in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"The nutritional value of the fish that we smoke, and sell is amazing - it is really good!"