A TREASURED pub on the verge of dereliction will soon become the hub of the village once again after new owners snapped it up.

The Plough Inn is Radwinter’s last remaining pub but had fallen into disrepair.

However, last week the Miles family stepped in at the 11th hour to buy the property and have promised to turn it back into the central meeting point of the village.

David Miles, his wife Pam, and their daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Marc Saggers, plan to renovate and refurbish the grade II listed property and reopen it as a traditional, family-run pub and restaurant.

The news has been met with delight by villagers who formed their own committee, the Plough Start-Up Committee, to try to buy the pub following its closure in August 2009.

That led to the inception of Plough 2, an alternative pub running out of the village hall, and the publication of Plough On! a newsletter aimed at saving the establishment and raising awareness.

Dixie Walker, who founded the committee, said he is “delighted” to have the pub back.

“It is exactly what we wanted,” he said. “A pub is essential to a rural community and the centre of the action, as has been proven over the last couple of years. Plough 2 is attended in large numbers and vigorously.

“The last thing we wanted was an inappropriate development so this is ideal.”

The Miles family has welcomed the support from the village.

“They have been amazing. In the short time we have been here many people have been calling around and asking how it’s going – there is a huge amount of interest in the pub,” David Miles told the Reporter.

“We are very pleased to have the pub and we hope to make it a great asset for the village.”

Mr Miles added that he would love the pub to be open by Christmas but pointed out that there would be a period of extensive renovation, including a survey to the ancient timber frame, while plans will need to be submitted for an extension.