VILLAGERS who raised £500,000 to save their town pub celebrated its re-opening on Thursday.

The Bay Horse in Roughlee closed last September after a fire devastated the kitchen.

After residents learnt plans were being drawn up to build homes on the sit a fund-raising campaign was launched to raise the money to buy the pub and restore it to its former glory.

Following a year of fundraising e pub celebrated its re-opening on Thursday with an investors dinner.

The campaign was led by local businessman Paul Dawson, 71. He said: "If you had told me a year ago that we could achieve so much in so little time, I would not have believed it.

"There has been so much goodwill in the village.

"There are only 120 homes, so for 40 of them to put their hands in their pockets has been fantastic.

"Investments have ranged from £1,000 to £50,000, but it hasn't been about how much people have put in, it has all been about team-work.

"We have been working on restorations at the pub for three months and most of the work has been done by volunteers.

"The upstairs had not been lived in for years, floorboards were missing and every room was a tip.

"We needed to put in a new floor, new walls and a new roof. It's brand new."

Fellow campaigner Robert Carson, 66, said pub was the 'heart of the village.'

He said: "There is no church, post office, cafe or shop in the village.

"Without a pub it was dying.

"It's a lovely village, with woodland and a river. But without a pub there was no heart to the village. Now there is.

The mayor of Pendle, David Whalley aid: "This is a fantastic example to everyone in Pendle of what can be achieved when people work together on a common aim.

I have been really impressed with the community spirit in Roughlee.

"I am also pleased that Pendle Council was able to help, too.

Community Value, which gave villagers the breathing space to raise the £500,000."

A property company, made up of investors, now owns the building and a village family who invested in the refurbishment has taken the tenancy.