RESIDENTS turned out in their hundreds to celebrate the reopening of the only pub in their village after three years.

Stuart Newman, owner of The Boot, Chinnor Road, Bledlow Ridge, had expected about 150 people. In fact around 450 turned up last Thursday.

The pub now has extensive facilities for food and head chef John Crompton is Egon Ronay-recommended but Mr Newman is also keen to keep the Boot as a local.

He said: "I want to look after the villagers as locals."

The event for villagers on Thursday was followed by a full-scale opening on Saturday.

The Boot was closed in October 1998, by owner Morland which was taken over by brewers Greene King.

Greene King thought a pub in the village was not viable and tried to sell it to developers for housing but residents along with the parish council argued the pub was a community facility. Wycombe District Council refused planning permission for housing..

Residents then backed plans for Mr Newman, who bought the property, to add a restaurant to pick up extra trade.

Bledlow-cum-Saunderton Parish Councillor Margaret Terry said the opening was a success for the village.

"The village needs a pub. We were opposing residential development. For a village this size, there's no reason why we can't support a pub."

The residents were praised by Mr Newman in helping ensure a pub remained in the village.

He said: "We held the very first night for the villagers to thank them for their support."

Mr Newman added: "I've been an estate agent for 35 years and in the old days it was common to buy a pub, get rid of the licence and it was a cheap way to get a residential property but the tables have now turned."