SHARES to help reopen a Risinghurst pub will be on offer at a community meeting next month.

The Ampleforth Arms in Collinwood Road closed its doors in June last year after owner Punch Taverns put it up for sale.

But residents on the estate have rallied together and formed a community company - The Amp Community - to try and save their local ale house, which was frequented by author CS Lewis.

For more than a year, resident Lyn Simms and fellow neighbours in Risinghurst have discussed options to re-open the pub.

Now they hope that could become a reality by next spring, with people invited to a share offer meeting on November 4 to raise cash for the project.

Mrs Simms, chairwoman of The Amp Community Ltd, said there had been "positive" discussions with Punch Taverns.

The 56-year-old, who has lived in Risinghurst for more than 30 years, said all the plans and exhibitions would be revealed at the meeting.

She added: "We will discuss everything at the re-launch of our share offer. We will also talk about the terms that we have discussed with Punch Taverns.

"We have a gentleman coming who is associated with Punch, so we would really like the community to attend.

"The meeting will explain all the ways people can get involved in the pub and our plans.

"We need as many people as possible from the community to attend the meeting. We are confident of opening for business two to three months after the New Year."

In the past year the group has contacted Oxford businesses to see if they would like to invest in shares of the Ampleforth Arms.

The pub originally opened in 1939 and according to CS Lewis expert Ronald Brind it was frequented by the Narnia author and fellow writer JRR Tolkien as well.

At least three pubs in Oxfordshire have been bought and run as community companies – the White Hart in Wolvercote, the Bull Inn, Great Milton, and the Seven Stars in Marsh Baldon.

When the Risinghurst pub closed, it was placed on the market for £625,000 by Punch Taverns after 75 years in business.

Its sale was halted thanks to it being registered as an asset of community value, which ended in February.

Mrs Simms added: "The time since we started this has went very quickly. It's been a lot of work. I don't think people realise how much work we have put in on top our working lives.

"Everything is very positive, but we are always looking for more hands to come on board and get involved."

The meeting will take place in Risinghurst Community Centre in Kiln Lane from 6.30pm.