VILLAGERS are toasting the saviour of one of the oldest pubs in the district which had been threatened with closure.

People in Westbere, near Canterbury, launched a campaign last year to stop the owner of Ye Olde Yew Tree from getting planning permission to turn the 16th century hostelry into a house.

Now the property has been sold to a businessman with a passion for restoring old buildings, who has spent the last three months refurbishing and extending it.

Peter Malkin, who owns Bridge Place Country Club, has restored more than 40 old properties, including grade one listed mansions and castles.

He said: "In particular, I love old pubs because they represent so much about England's history and heritage.

"I am the sort of person who likes to get stuck into the renovations and do a lot of the work myself. I wanted it to be a very sympathetic restoration to keep the character of the building. It has been hard graft, but been worth it."

The villagers certainly think so and Steve Carter who had led a campaign to save the pub, says they are delighted.

He said: "Peter has done a fantastic job on the place. The restoration has been very much in keeping with the age of the property."

A newly laid beer garden overlooking the lakes will be open by Easter.