VILLAGERS in a Worcestershire village are celebrating this week after buying their own pub for £240,000.

The bunting was out and a ribbon was cut before chairman of Bishampton parish council Don Cheetham handed the keys to the Dolphin over to Lee Jones and his wife Kerry.

Mr Jones said: “About 50 people turned up, it was crazy behind the bar. We served about 200 people that day.” The new pub landlord, who currently runs the Chequers Inn at Fladbury, has been given a 15-year lease by the parish council which bought the pub after it was put up for sale by Enterprise Inns.

He said: “The fact that the Dolphin is now a free house makes it more likely to stay profitable.” The event was the culmination of months of hard work by parish councillors whose shrewd negotiations led to the purchase of the pub, which was made possible by a government loan at a low interest rate spread over a 30 -year period. As soon as the deal was signed and sealed, villagers rolled up their sleeves for a clean-up.

Parish clerk Michelle English said: “As landlords the parish council had a duty to make sure the Dolphin was handed over in good order. We are very grateful to the villagers and to local businesses who helped keep our costs under budget.” Vice-chairman Rodney Hodgkins said: “The opening was a tremendous success."