AFTER being closed for nearly two years a beloved village pub will finally open its doors again tomorrow. (Saturday)

The Drovers Inn in Gussage All Saints near Wimborne was finally saved from development in March this year after a 15-month battle by residents who were furious when the pub shut without warning in November 2014.

It was sold to a buyer who planned to turn it into a private house but after villagers mounted a spirited counter-campaign against the plans they were refused by East Dorset District Council in June last year.

Residents quickly decided to form a group dedicated to seeing the venue brought back to life and in March the sale was completed.

The Gussage Community Benefit Society, which now owns the pub, then launched a major refurbishment to get it ready for the pub’s official reopening which has now been confirmed for 11am tomorrow.

Secretary Sally Marlow said: "It's really been down to the wire getting all the final bits done. Work is still going on over these last couple of days but no matter what we will be opening on Saturday.

"Because of the last minute nature of the opening there won't be a big fanfare or anything it will just reopen.

"The plan is to do a launch event at some point in the future so we can really celebrate what we have achieved.

"It looks absolutely stunning and even the flowers have come out in time.

"We are all just so excited that this is finally happening."

According to Sally the opening also coincides with the Gussage All Saints Village Fete which starts at 2pm and is also celebrating 25 years.

"It wasn't planned but it's worked out quite nicely because the reason we all wanted to save the pub is because it's the heart of our village and what better day to celebrate that than on the day of a huge community event," she added.

Work to date has included replacing the old dilapidated roof tiles with Spanish slate, rebuilding and relining the chimneys, installation of woodburning stoves to both bars, internal decoration and refurbishing the thatch roof.

The society has also found and hired new tenants Stephen and Barbara Aldred.

"We want to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers as so many people have helped in so many ways," added Sally.