LOCALS are celebrating the reopening of their pub after it was feared time had been called for the last time.

The Fauconberg Arms, in Coxwold, which has been shut for 18 months, has reopened with a new landlord.

Owned by the Newburgh Priory Estate, the pub was left empty after the last landlords left for personal reasons.

Landlord Simon Rheinberg said: "The village has been really desperate to get the pub open again, especially with it being Christmas.

"So far, the villagers have given us their full support."

He is joined by his wife, Helen, his daughter, Harriet, and her husband, Jonathan Chadwick, in running the pub. The family have spent four months working on the venue, including fitting a new cellar, before opening.

Mr Rheinberg hopes to have the pub's restaurant open again from this weekend.