A VILLAGE pub has been bought and reopened in a deal overseen by a Darlington firm.

Jill and Paul Jackson fulfilled their dream of buying the Vane Arms in Long Newton, near Stockton, reopening the 100-year-old pub after it was closed for two-and-a-half years.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, was overseen by Latimer Hinks.

The couple have stripped out and refurbished the premises. The family are running the business themselves, but intend to start recruiting staff, including a cook, in the near future.

Mrs Jackson said: “Long Newton is a close-knit community and the Vane Arms has been a hub, and not just a pub, for the village.

“As a local focal point, it holds a lot of memories for people. By buying and reopening the Vane Arms, we wanted to preserve an important community aspect of village life.”

Nicola Neilson, partner at Latimer Hinks and head of residential property development, said: “Facilities such as pubs play an important part in both the social and economic life of a village.

“There has been so much news in recent months about rural pubs and shops being forced to close. At one time over the past year, it was reported that up to 40 public houses per month were closing down across the UK.

“It was, therefore, a pleasure to be able to assist and be involved in this deal.”