REGULARS were so afraid their country watering hole could be taken over by a pub-chain they decided to band together and buy it themselves.

Six locals in the village of Grosmont, near Abergavenny, stumped up the cash to buy the Angel Inn last month.

The price tag for surgeons Witek Mintowt-czyz and Gareth Thomas, nurse Jenny Pile, builders Martin Cull and Rob Barker, and venture capitalist Oliver Huntsman, was £250,000.

Their move comes as campaigners highlighted the plight of village pubs with one now closing nearly every week in Wales.

The Campaign for Real Ale is urging locals to follow the Grosmont example.

Mr Mintowt-czyz, 57, said: "When it came on the market we knew there were two options.

"Firstly there was a threat it would be sold as a house if there was an application of change of use. The second was that it would have be sold to a chain and turned into a gastro pub.

"Grosmont is a nice village of 400 souls and I think it is essential to have a community pub."

Mr Mintowt-czyz said that although the Angel Inn is owned by regulars, they won't be running the pub: "We've got a lovely young manager, Jamie-Lee Cornish, who has got some great ideas," he said.

The kitchen opened last week, serving lunch and dinner.

"It is pub grub with the accent on quality ," said Mr Mintowt-czyz.

"The pub is holding a celebratory opening party on Saturday evening and "all are welcome".