THE UK’s first community-run rock pub threw open its doors in Blackburn after more than a year of being closed.

Heavy metal frontman Rob Halford from Judas Priest was the star of the evening as the Sir Charles Napier in Limbrick welcomed dozens of rockers from across East Lancashire.

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The pub, which closed in June last year, was reopened by a group of former regulars known as Save the Napier, who refitted the pub and turned it back into a music venue.

Manager Hilary Carr, a Motorhead and Black Sabbath fan, said the venue was like a ‘second home’.

She said: “I have been coming to the Napier since my teenage years, I’ve never been anywhere like it.

“We used to have so much nightlife in Blackburn, but bit by bit it all fell away.

“But already the Napier is back to what it was again, everyone is backing us, this place is like a second home.

“People who are happily married met here.

“It was a real challenge at times to get to where we are now but it’s going to be a real success.

“We want to try and make the place really inclusive, we’ve got comedians and all sorts of music coming in, not just metal.”

The Napier was given special protection last year by being added to Blackburn with Darwen Council’s list of Assets of Community Value.

Rock icon Halford, whose band had hits with Take on the World, Breakin’ the Law and Living After Midnight, got to know about the pub through friends and immediately got behind the campaign.

He said: “It’s great not only for music but for the community as well, it keeps everyone together.

“You just can’t beat these kind of venues.”

The pub, which is decorated with intricate wall murals, was once given a four-star review by the Metal Travel Guide and used to host a rock-karaoke every Tuesday and Thursday as well as pool tournaments and quizzes.

It will now be open from noon until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and from noon to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

There will be bands playing every Friday and Saturday and a rehearsal space in the cellar will also be on offer.

The work was funded by investors, Kickstarter Backers, fundraising events, council grants, Bootstrap Enterprises and the Plunkett Foundation.

Kerry McGregor, secretary of Save the Napier, said: “There are so many people that have come back who came here years ago and have perhaps moved away since.

“We’re so happy the place is back open.”