Campaigners are celebrating after their offer was accepted to buy the last remaining pub in their village.

The Ickleton Lion has stood at the heart of the village of Ickleton for more than 300 years, welcoming residents, cyclists and scientists from the Wellcome Genome Campus.

After the pub served its last orders in July last year, residents have feared that the pub could be sold for redevelopment by owners Greene King.

A 10-week fundraising campaign held over the summer saw more than 400 people buy shares in a community benefit society - Ickleton Community Pub Ltd - which was set up to save the pub

The share offer raised more than £440k towards its original £450k target, welcoming shareholders from across the region and outside the UK, and garnering support from South Cambs MP Pippa Heylings.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority also awarded a grant of £45,000, Ickleton Parish Council gave an interest-free loan of £5,000, and the Communications Workers Union (CWU) Eastern No.4 branch donated £500.

Greene King has now accepted the offer to buy the pub, subject so surveys and contracts which will happen in the coming weeks.

The campaigners - who call themselves Ickleton Lionhearted - now plan to refurbish and reopen the Lion as a community pub, offering affordable food and drink and opportunities for residents and groups to come together.

Among the groups celebrating the successful offer is Ickleton Cricket Club - who clubbed together to help save the pub, which they view as their 'pavilion'.

Rachel Radford, who lives in the village and is chair of Ickleton Community Pub Ltd, said: "We’re absolutely over the moon to have received the good news from Greene King and grateful for their positive response to the community’s vision for the future of the Lion.

"It’s been a whirlwind few months but only possible thanks to the generosity of all those who have supported us – not only financially but with gifts of time and expertise.

"We’ve had so many positive messages of support and feel honoured to live in an area with such amazing community spirit."

The Lionhearted group is continuing to accept donations to support the refurbishment of the pub and its garden.

They have already received generous offers of help from professionals in the village, and are hoping to call in the support of more individuals and businesses in the coming months.

Calls for further support will be made at www.ickletonlionpub.co.uk and on 'Ickleton Lion Community Pub' social media pages.

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Rachel added: "Just like buying a house, it takes some time for all the necessary checks and paperwork to be completed and we know there’s a lot of hard work to come to get the neglected building and garden fit for punters again.

"We’d love more people to follow our journey and consider how they could help us get ready to open the doors once more.

"Of course, when the pub opens we can’t wait to celebrate properly with everyone who has made this dream a reality!"