MONKTON Farleigh villagers have been given the keys to run their local pub in hope of bringing the community together to secure its future.

The current publicans of the Muddy Duck gave notice of their departure from the pub in the village three weeks ago and now have six months left on the lease.

But worried to see a local amenity go to waste, residents came up with the idea of taking on the pub for the duration and take it back to its roots by changing its name back to The Kings Arms.

The pub will now be staffed by volunteers taking shifts – a change which is being spearheaded by resident Joy Spiers.

The 38-year-old said: “It changed its name three years ago and lots of villagers refused to go because of it. Hopefully now we are changing it back, it encourages some people who boycotted it to come back and support us.

“I really hope it works and I would like to think that it might bring some events back because from what I hear, the pub is one of the most haunted in Wiltshire. It would be so exciting to get some events in because of that and we are hoping we can have some fun for six months.

“We want to try and prove there is an interest and need for the pub to remain and people within the community support that.”

While the pub won’t be serving food, it hopes to open its doors to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.

The residents will have to make enough money to buy stock but any profit made will be invested back into the village.

Mrs Spiers, who has her own gardening business, added that following a community meeting, 20 people have signed up to volunteer their time.

She added: “What seemed to be the case is that if it is bought up and changed, we think it would be really sad and we are hoping it will stay as it is as The Kings Arms.

“We have lost our shop and post office and that was a big blow to the community. We still have the church and school but the pub is at the heart of the community.

“I think the pub has changed hands three times in 20 years but it has been known as The Kings Arms for 150 years before it was changed.

“We are trying to drum up support from the village to have birthday or anniversary celebrations here because I feel that is what people want but haven’t been able to do.”

A Punch Taverns spokesman confirmed the news that the publicans have given notice to leave. They added: “Until the notice is complete, the local villagers have been given the opportunity by the current publicans to run the pub on a more limited offer. We will soon begin our recruitment process in order to find a long term publican.”