SPIRIT was on tap in a Lake District village at the weekend after a local pub which villagers faught to save was opened.

The determined people of Crosby Ravensworth raised £300,000 to buy the Butchers Arms - which has been closed for one year - and on Saturday cheers rang through the village as the pub was officially opened.

Volunteers carried out the gardening, plumbing, building, decorating, electrical and carpentry tasks needed to refurbish the wateringhole and 300 people took a £250 ‘stake’ in the traditional Cumbrian pub to buy it.

John Stubbs flew in from Victoria in Australia to officially open the Buthers Arms, where he grew up when his mother Olive owned it between 1958-78.

Mr Stubbs, who left Crosby Ravensworth almost 40 years ago, said: “I’m certain my mother would be thrilled if she knew that The Butchers Arms was getting a new lease of life with such enthusiastic support from the local community.”

The community registered as a co-operative and Cameron Smith, treasurer of the new co-operative, said: “It has brought our community together in many different ways and, the support already received from volunteers and trades could not have been better.

“We have been overwhelmed with the interest in the project. Our aim has always been quite simple, to buy, refurbish and re-open a traditional Cumbrian pub that will source locally and support the local community and economy wherever possible, selling good quality food, real ales and, offering a warm welcome to all.”

He said that shareholders came from all corners of the UK and said that The Lyvenet Community Pub (LCP) had potential investors from as far afield as America and Australia.

New landlords, Keith Taylor and Bev Percy, said: “We have been amazed by the dedication and efforts of the community and volunteers. Seeing all of the recent activity has confirmed our view that The Butchers will once again be a successful pub.”

Prime Minister David Cameron paid a visit to the pub during it’s refurbishment and had lunch with the landlords a couple of weeks ago, where he saw first hand his notion of the Big Society.