A community group that is aiming to purchase a village pub has said that it is 'grateful' after being visited and receiving support from Labour's parliamentary candidate for Penrith and Solway Markus Campbell-Savours. 

Mr. Campbell-Savours visited the Black Lion on Thursday, February 27 to meet members of the Black Lion Community Group who are attempting to bring the village pub under community ownership. 

To do this the community group has undergone a campaign of independent fundraising, canvasing local political figures for support, and have applied for a grant from the government's Community Ownership Fund (COF) which aims to safeguard community assets.

Malcolm Boswell is a member of the Black Lion Community Group and thanked Mr. Campbell-Savours for his support for the community venture during his visit and for acknowledging the wider issues facing Ireby which also recently saw its only Stagecoach bus rerouted.

He said: "We are grateful to Markus for taking the time to show his support for our efforts to preserve a vital community hub and to share his awareness of the wider issues facing rural communities.

"His visit coincided with the announcement of the complete withdrawal of the bus service to Ireby. 

"His understanding of the impact that decision will have on the local community and his willingness to pursue the reversal of the decision was really appreciated."

Speaking previously, Malcolm had explained why the community group was taking steps to take ownership of the village pub.

He said: "The purpose of the application to COF is to make the pub into even more of a community hub by opening it during the day as a cafe or drop-in shop and then morphing into a pub in the afternoon.

"It is a community pub and the efforts of the community will be designed to make sure it meets the needs of the community."