COMMUNITY spirit is a wonderful thing.

When people living in the village of Belthorn found out they were about to lose their local they sprang into action.

Worried residents set up community group, The Dog Inn Belthorn Ltd, to try and take on the pub of the same name.

The Belmont Road site was bought by Great Mitton developer Ribble Valley Luxury Homes Ltd in February.

But after the sale, villagers approached the new owner Stanley Ainsworth and said how important to the community the pub was.

He then agreed to sell it if residents could meet his asking price.

Now people in the village have managed to raise £50,000 inside three weeks.

Shares in the scheme have been made available with the hope of offering investors three-to-four per cent interest on their investment, with some tax benefits - dependant on personal circumstances .

Villagers have also been successful in registering the venue as an Asset of Community Value which will protect the building should it ever be sold again.

The residents still have quite a way to go to reach their £180,000 target by May 14 but we wish them all the luck possible in achieving their goal.