RESIDENTS who raised more than £200,000 to save their village pub have had a bid to buy the premises accepted.

The Gun Inn pub in Ridsdale was put up for sale earlier this year, and residents feared it could turn into a private house.

A community group called The Ridsdale Community Group Limited was formed and launched a campaign to raise £200,000 to secure the future of the pub as a community hub.

Chairman John Bassett said: “We have exceeded our amount by around ten thousand pounds, but we need extra expenses to make some immediate repairs.

“Our deadline was Sunday, December 22 and we had received a significant amount by Saturday to put an offer in, which was accepted.”

Over the last 30 years Ridsdale has lost its post office, shop and village hall, and residents campaigned to keep the pub which had become the last amenity in the village.

John added: “Now that we have had a bid accepted, people in the village are really excited. We have set up two working groups to look at the immediate refurbishment plans and money.

“The pub’s sale is now in the hands of solicitors and we can press on with the next steps in the weeks to come.

“We are contacting everyone who pledged, and we are still open to more pledges from donors.”