An 18TH century Oxford pub that residents had feared would be turned into flats is once again open for business.

The Chequers Inn, in Headington Quarry, was put up for sale by brewery Scottish and Newcastle last November after standing vacant for most of the year.

Steve Jenkins, former landlord of the Red Lion in Old Marston, has now finished renovation work on the site and is hoping it will once again become the hub of the local community.

Mr Jenkins, 41, said: "We finally got the keys at the end of February and since then we've been completely renovating the site.

"While we've been tidying up the garden for the summer, we've also put in a brand new English Oak bar.

"We also had to replace lead on the roof that had been stolen by thieves while the site was standing empty.

"This used to be a thriving pub and we want to make it like that again.

"We are looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know our new locals."

The pub first closed in January last year.

It reopened in November for a few weeks, before closing again.

Mr Jenkins said he had not been aware of the history associated with the pub when he bought it, but that he now wants to build on its heritage.

He said: "This pub was built in the 1700s and if you have got that much history you would be stupid to ignore it.

"It has links with the Headington Morris Men, which was founded there. There are also ties with William Morris who came here to drink, so we want to make the most of this.

"We also found some photographs of the pub from the 1830s which shows a big porch over the door to the pub which we are going to apply for planning permission to reinstate."

The landlord said he wants to reinstate the traditional pub sports that had previously thrived at the Chequers Inn, such as darts and Aunt Sally.

He also said the pub would be making food a priority, with the kitchen set to open for the first time this weekend.

He said: "We want it to be a pub for all ages and hope that people come in and enjoy themselves."

Quarry resident Jack Ponsonby, 70, said he was pleased to see the pub returned to its former glory.

He said: "I've lived in the area all my life and it was ever so sad to see the pub becoming more and more run down.

"I'm pleased with what Steve has done and I think most residents will be pleased. I'm glad he appreciates the history of the site."