Villagers who joined forces in an effort to buy their local pub have finally completed its purchase.

The Harrow in Stockbury is set to open under community ownership in mid-July after receiving support from the More Than a Pub community pub support programme.

The programme was launched in 2016 by national charity Plunkett Foundation, and is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and independent trust Power to Change.

The Harrow was put up for sale by Shepherd Neame in September.

After word spread about the prospect of losing the village’s last remaining pub, a committee was formed in a bid to save it.

The pub had already been listed as an Asset of Community Value, giving villagers a six-month period to prepare a bid to buy it.

Since then, a determined group of locals set up a community benefit society and raised over £180,000 for a community share offer.

Shareholders were invited to invest between £200 and £20,000 to become members and democratic owners of The Harrow.

The group has since received business advice and specialist support, including a £2,500 bursary from More Than A Pub.

It now plans to develop The Harrow into a community hub with services and facilities beyond those of a traditional pub.

Plans include a lunch club for senior citizens, internet drop-in sessions and a café with a meeting space allowing people to access skills and socialise.

Alan Cooke, of the Harrow Community Benefit Society, said: “The purchase of the Harrow provides the opportunity to make it, once again, the social hub of the village.

“The enthusiasm in the parish to return the pub to a thriving and welcoming place is palpable as expressed in the number of shareholders we have and villagers who have volunteered to help with its renovation.

“Although there will be challenges ahead, the goodwill and commitment generated will take us through these and make the Harrow a community asset that the village can be proud of.”

Volunteers are now needed for the refurbishment of the pub. Anyone with spare hands, materials or expertise should email Matt Ball at ball.matt@btinternet.com.