THE Stage Post Inn at West Lavington is set to reopen on December 8 after being given a new lease of life by its new owners.

The former Wheatsheaf in the High Street was taken over by the Inn Good Company Ltd and completely redecorated after being recently acquired from former owners, Innspired Pubs plc.

To celebrate the reopening the new owners are inviting people to come along on Saturday to experience the new look pub and sample the food.

Local band Get This is due to play live in the function room, which has also been refurbished.

Inn Good Company Ltd was launched in May by brewing expert Oliver Pope. Mr Pope said: "As a company we are concentrating on acquiring traditional rural pubs and reintroducing the personal local feel that seems to have been removed from so many places today.

"We concentrate on providing really good food in a clean, relaxed environment."

Last week the company completed the refurbishment of the White Horse Inn at Downton, near Salisbury, a 14th century coaching inn which now features a Sunday carvery and a museum containing old pictures of the village.

The Stagepost, one of three pubs in West Lavington, has had a chequered history in the last few years, both under its present name and as the Wheatsheaf.

The pub, however, has never lost its popularity, especially among staff, sixth formers and parents at Dauntsey's School, the independent school directly across the road.