A community which clubbed together to buy back their local pub is now looking for a suitable tenant to run it.

Villagers, shareholders and investors raised more than £400,000 to successfully purchase the The Chequer Inn in Ash.

In the eight weeks since gaining access to the property, volunteers have been clearing the site in preparation for refurbishment.

A recent open day attracted more than 150 residents, keen to offer their help and skills to the project.

As well as seeking volunteers to continue getting the pub back to its former glory, the Chequer Inn Ash Society are also searching for a suitable tenant.

Committee member Chris Maclean said: “We are seeking to appoint a like-minded tenant who will work, in collaboration with us, to provide a high quality food and drink offering with the opportunity to develop all aspects of the business.”

Campaigner Matthew Titterton, who originally began the campaign in December 2015, added: “This is an historic village inn, right in the heart of Ash.

"We have a spacious bar, dining area and large garden which is being overhauled in preparation for re-opening later this year. We are revamping the existing kitchen and refurbishing the living accommodation upstairs to a high standard.”

The project has been assisted by the Plunkett Foundation, which helps support community ownership of pubs in England.

If you are interested in running the Chequer Inn , send a CV with a 200-word covering letter to chequermates@gmail.com by Saturday, June 30.