EAST Lancashire’s first community free house pub is set to open next month.

In preparation for the celebrations, a clean-up at the Dog Inn in Belthorn is planned this weekend.

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The pub was bought by the community who raised £170,000 to buy the 300-year-old building from Ribble Valley Luxury Homes Ltd.

Contracts were signed by chairman Kevin Kraushaar earlier this summer and the the first board meeting has been held in the pub.

Kathryn Sharpe, secretary of the group which has saved the pub, said: “Once refurbished, we will reopen the Dog Inn as a traditional country pub, serving great beer and good food.

“We still need volunteers to help with the refurbishment and cleaning of the pub and we have begun the process of recruiting a manager.

“The pub will be opened as a pub, café and local shop with allotments on the back.

“In 2016 we also hope to reopen the restaurant.”

The pub will be hosting an open morning tomorrow from 10am to noon.

Everyone is invited to show their support and help with the clean-up before the refurbishment starts and it is hoped that the pub can be opened as early as October.

Villagers in Belthorn are being kept up-to-date with what is planned via an online newsletter, A Dog’s Life It says: “The refurbishments will be in sympathy with the original features.

“ Original features such as the large wood beams, stone flag floor, stone walls and the fireplace surround will be restored and enhanced.

“We are a country pub and that is the look we want.

“Belthorn winters are never far from anyone’s thoughts! The warmer, more efficient we are, the better.”