A village pub has been sold to new owners after only a month on the market.

The Plough Inn in Lees Road, Brabourne, was boarded up by Shepherd Neame in June after the brewery decided to sell it.

It was advertised with a freehold guide price of £250,000.

Parish councillors have welcomed the sale, but are keen to now find out what will happen next.

Clerk Susan Wood said: "We are pleased The Plough has been sold so quickly; it's a very attractive building in the centre of the village so it is sad to see it all boarded up.

"The overall view from the villagers is that they want it to remain as a pub - lots of people love the idea of having a country pub but it is a real struggle.

"We haven't received a demolition notice yet which would have to be submitted if the new owner wanted to knock down the building and redevelop.

"We will be meeting the new owner to welcome them to the village and find out their future plans."

Villager Peter Clayton ran the pub for 13 years with his wife.

He said: "We are very sad to see the Plough in its present sorry state but glad it has been sold.

"The pub wasn't doing terribly well when we took it over but we like to think that we improved it and that it was successful.

"There's a strong feeling in the village to save the pub and we all hope something can be done to preserve it.

"A lot of people view the Plough as a part of the village's history but once the history is gone, you can't replace it.

"These are difficult times for pubs and many have closed, but we hope that the new owners will try to re-establish it. I am sure it could be done by the right people."