Villagers in Frieth have rallied together in a show of support for a well-loved pub after its owner called for community backing last week.

In 2014 the once thriving Yew Tree pub – which has served the village for 160 years – was rescued from the hands of developers by long standing resident Carlos Maidana after the community launched a ‘Save Our Pub’ campaign.

Wycombe District Council has since rejected numerous development schemes for the watering hole which prompted Mr Maidana to join forces with Marlow based Heighway Associates and put together a fresh proposal based on council feedback.

Mr Maidana, who also owns the Grouse and Ale in Lane End, said: "I have been in the hospitality business for over twenty years and have seen the industry change dramatically with introduction of the smoking ban, tougher drink driving laws and the change in social attitudes overall to drinking alcohol.

"So a pub today, to succeed, particularly in a village or countryside environment needs to diversify a lot more and have the complete support of the community."

The new plans will be presented to residents and politicians at Frieth Village Hall on Thursday, February 11 from 6 to 9pm.

Mr Maidana is urging for as many residents as possible to attend the meeting and provide feedback to save the Yew Tree from its permanent closure.

He continued: "I don’t want Frieth to have one of those permanently closed statistic for its main pub, but for it not to fail as it has for such a long time, it needs to diversify and offer more, much more, and in doing so reduce the debt burden country pubs carry in the current market."