THE Tradesman's Arms, which closed almost a year ago, is to reopen under new ownership, writes Lindsey Sill.

Four former customers, determined not to see their local wither and die, have bought the popular Free House in Scoriton.

New owners Mike Maddicks, Mike Ruddy and Philip Friggens, all three of them train drivers, and council worker Mark Mitchell, drank there regularly until the pub was repossessed last November.

They put in an offer some time ago, which was rejected. But in the light of the falling property prices, they decided to try again. Estate agent Richard Copus, who lives in Holne and is also a Tradesman's regular, negotiated with the selling agent Christie's in Exeter.

Mr Mitchell said: 'We are buying it as a four-way partnership. I will be working there full-time as manager. The other three will continue in their train duties but help out on an ad hoc basis.'

Contracts were exchanged last month and the four are due to take possession today. They plan to plough about £80,000 into putting in a new bar, toilets and kitchen. Early next year they will revamp the upstairs to provide bed and breakfast accommodation.

Under pressure from villagers, they aim to have it open by Christmas.

'They've been without a pub for 12 months and they don't want to see it closed for a second Christmas. It's absolutely fantastic. Everyone is gunning for it to reopen,' Mr Mitchell said.

'We want to provide a traditional country pub where you can get a decent reasonably-priced pint and good home-cooked food at reasonable prices.'

He is hoping that the two darts teams, jazz groups, poetry and story-telling groups will come back. They are planning to restart the quiz nights and hope to attract new groups such as Stitch and Bitch, the latest in knitting circles and the WI.

Since news leaked out, Mr Mitchell said that people have been stopping him in the streets.

'It is phenomenal, it doesn't matter who you speak to,' he said.