AFTER 15 months of battling to save their local pub, campaigners have finally reached their long-held goal of buying the building.

Residents were left furious when the the Drovers Inn in Gussage All Saints closed without warning in November 2014, but quickly decided to form a group dedicated to seeing the venue brought back to life.

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.

And now the villagers who fought so hard to get the pub listed as a community asset, finally took possession of the keys last Friday.

The Gussage Community Benefit Society, who now own the pub, hope to reopen it in late May or early June following a much needed refurbishment.

Supporters gathered outside of the pub on Saturday to celebrate the news and raise a toast to the achievement.

Secretary Sally Marlow said the society had so far raised £160,000 through a community share offer and had successfully applied for a mortgage to purchase the building for £365,000.

"We have had so much support throughout this process and it's so exciting that we have finally got to this point," added Sally.

"There are just over 150 shareholders which probably makes up about 70 per cent of the village, but we have also had an army of hundreds of volunteers who have also helped us achieve our goal.

"We have only had the keys for a week but already the community has come together to help with the refurbishment.

"Congratulations and heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who made this happen and now we just wait for the time when everyone can sit in the garden and enjoy a drink with friends and visitors and reflect on the tough road travelled to save this wonderful pub."

The refurbishment work has already begun to bring the pub back to its former glory and it is great to see the enthusiasm and drive amongst the many volunteers.

"We have changed the locks and we have got the boards off the windows. The chimney man is going to reline the chimney next week and we're getting the roof re-tiled," added Sally.

The group is continuing to raise money throughout the refurbishment phase and a special event is planned for on Friday, May 6 from 7.45pm in the Gussage All Saints Village Hall with music from the Repeat Offenders.