CAMPAIGNERS seeking to save their village's last remaining pub are celebrating after its current owners agreed a price to sell them the building.

Villagers attempting to re-open the Crown in South Moreton have offered £390,000 which Worthmore Investments Ltd has accepted, subject to contract.

The South Moreton Community Benefit Society group has raised £230,000 from people signing up to be shareholders and is awaiting the outcome of various grant applications to make up the difference.

Paul Jackson, Chairman of SMCBS, said agreeing a purchase price had made their dream seem like more of a reality.

He added: “This is yet another vital step forward towards getting The Crown back for our community.

"We still have to get our grant applications approved but there’s a real buzz now that the end is in sight.”

Worthmore bought The Crown in 2015 from Wadworth Breweries and initially wanted to use the site for new housing.

But villagers campaigned for an Asset of Community Value Order to be placed on the property, blocking its redevelopment.

Villagers want to buy the Crown and re-open it as a pub and café, with other community facilities such as a shop, parcel drop-off and collection, bike hire and repair.

The purchase of the pub relies on grants applied for from South Oxfordshire District Council and the Plunkett Foundation being approved.

Mr Jackson said: “Local people have really stepped up to the plate and proved the need for a Community Pub and Café in South Moreton.

"This has hopefully provided the evidence that SODC and Plunkett require that this will be a successful and sustainable enterprise for the village and surrounding community."