A local MP has backed a team of local volunteers attempting to secure the future of the Miners Arms Pub in Nenthead.

Closing its doors due to pandemic lockdowns, the local community has since rallied to bring the Miners Arms into community ownership, backed by thousands of pounds of donations from local people.

Currently £4,020 has been raised by a JustGiving page to cover the initial buying costs - over £1,000 more than required - with an additional £72,000 in place through a pledge system.

The building is structurally sound but campaigners are keen to renew the furnishings. The serving bar has been refitted and there are four bedrooms upstairs that are in good condition, providing sound footing for a successful commercial pub.

The group said: " We are hoping to encourage previous visitors to our beautiful village and those that are passionate about saving the Miners Arms to donate to the pub the price of a pint.

"If you can stretch to a round or the equivalent of a pub lunch that would be fantastic and greatly appreciated.

"As a community we are passionate about saving the Miners Arms, a recent survey carried out by MACA resulted in over 97 per cent of responders saying that a pub was a vital part of the community that they wanted to see reopened.

"The Miners Arms will not just be a pub though it will be a community pub by the community for the community.

"Every donation will go towards saving the Miners Arms, by paying for upfront project costs.

"If there is a surplus it will go into the pot to buy the pub for the benefit of all. If we are not successful in buying the Miners Arms anything left over will be donated to other Nenthead community projects."

Penrith and the Border MP, Dr Neil Hudson met with The Miners Arms Community Pub Limited - set up by local volunteers to purchase the pub - to discuss future steps in the community's campaign. 

READ MORE: Pressure to increase on NHS services as junior doctors begin strikes

"We have such a wealth of community talent upon Alston Moor and the volunteer team spearheading this campaign are an absolute testament to that," said Dr Hudson.

"Having already made resolute progress through fundraising and organising, I am incredibly optimistic we will see positive results in the near future. 

"From Bampton's pub to Kirkoswald's village shop we have a host of community ownership success stories on our doorstep and I'm committed to supporting them in Westminster and closer to home."