A village near Alton could be getting its local back as a community bid has been accepted.

The taps have run dry around the A339 corridor in recent years with pubs in Shalden, Bentworth and Lasham closing.

But there could be hope in the latter as a community group has been formed with a view to purchasing and running the Royal Oak.

The pub’s current owner has accepted an offer from The Friends of the Royal Oak Lasham to buy the hostelry.

However, the deal is only in principle with an appeal being launched to villagers and patrons to invest in their local.

“This is a very important moment for our village having got an agreement in principle to purchase it,” said David Faulkner, who chairs the Friends of The Royal Oak.

“We now have to seek funding from the community and other grant sources to enable us to complete the deal.”

Mr Faulkner added: “We are looking initially for pledges from villagers and neighbours to invest in the pub and with this we can then seek grant funding.”

The group believes The Royal Oak could be “much more than just a pub” with plans to transfer the watering hole into a community hub that offers a meeting space for coffee mornings, creches, cinema nights and lectures.

There are also plans for a small shop and even a gin distillery that produces Lasham Gin.

If you are interested in investing or want more information email David at [email protected]