SUPERSTAR soul singer Joss Stone does not mind getting her hands dirty as she helps renovate her mum’s new city pub.

When Joss, 22, was given five days off from her European tour she decided to jet back to Devon to help redecorate the venue.

As the Echo revealed, Joss’s mum, Wendy Joseph, 48, and husband, Jonathan, 42, bought what used to be The Hub, in Mary Arches Street, Exeter, last week and have already started renovation work.

The venue, which will be called Mama Stone’s, is set to be opened with a performance from Joss in September.

Speaking exclusively to the Echo, Joss said she was eagerly awaiting the opening of the venue, which will include a performance stage for live music and a recording studio.

“It’s going to be really fun,” she said. “Although we have a lot to do in just six weeks. It’s going to be a mission, but a good one.”

Joss did not mind working on her day off. She said: “I would rather be here helping my family and spending quality time with them, than doing anything else with my time off.

“Physical stuff like painting and stripping walls doesn’t really seem like work, because I don’t do it everyday. It just makes a change.”

Joss, from Ashill near Uffculme, enjoyed visiting Exeter when she was growing up.

She said: “I liked to go to the hippy shops in Gandy Street, with my friends, and the vintage clothing shop Real McCoy.

“I also had my 18th birthday party in Timepiece nightclub. But I definitely think Exeter will benefit from Mama Stone’s as there is nothing quite like it at the moment.”

Although Joss has already recorded her new album Colour Me Free, which is yet to be released by her record label EMI, she plans to use the venue’s recording studio.

“I record stuff all the time,” she said. “I recorded my last album in the old Mama Stone’s, in Wellington, so I think I will be in here a lot.”

The decision to buy the venue came after Wendy’s Wellington music academy —the original Mama Stone’s — was closed following complaints over noise.

Joss is looking forward to her performance at the venue in the autumn. She said: “I am really interested to see what it will be like when it is finished. There will be other acts as well, so it should be fun.”

To be in with a chance of getting tickets for the Joss Stone gig, put yourself on the Mama Stones’ mailing list by calling 01392 424628