A group fighting to save the Red Lion in Sidbury has unveiled plans to sell shares to help fund its purchase of the pub.

Campaigners from Save the Red Lion will make shares in the newly formed ‘Sidbury Community Enterprises Limited’ available for £50 each, which will go towards buying and refurbishing the Fore Street pub.

The group hopes to use the tavern as a place to provide community services, and have sent a questionnaire out to village residents asking their views on how they would like to see the pub used as a community asset.

Chair of the campaign Fred Burnett said that the creation of the new company was evidence of the group’s determination to buy the business.

He added: “We want it to not only be a successful local business, but also to be owned by and to support the local community.

“We think that the name of the company says it all. We are determined to get the Red Lion for the community”.

The campaign was recently bolstered after it received a £10,000 government grant to fund the creation of the new company.

East Devon MP Hugo Swire, a patron of the campaign, said: “A community owned pub in Sidbury would be excellent news for all those in the area.

“I wish them good luck in their continuing endeavours to buy the Red Lion.”