A half-timbered Tudor pub, The White Lion Inn at Barthomley, has been a pub to call into and enjoy the historic surroundings under its thatched roof.

To many, the White Lion is a picture postcard pub, a place to drive out to on a warm summer's night or take drop into on a cold winter's night to warm up by the open fire.

But, the pub, opened in 1614, has been closed for two years after Marston's ended its 20-year association and the Marston's lease came to an end.

Now villagers and others living nearby have launched a campaign to get it reopened setting up a Facebook page here called "Save the White Lion Barthomley" which has attracted followers and comments from far and wide.

Established in 1614, The White Lion Inn has been closed for two years after Marston's ended its 20-year association association with the venue (Save the White Lion Barthomley).

The social media page says: "A place full of memories, laughter and local life which is now closed and may come up for sale.

"It needs some work but if enough of us pulled together and chipped in and formed a co-operative we could breathe life back into this much-loved village pub.

"Imagine it bustling again, pints being pulled, fires lit and stories shared but we need to be ready to act. Let's not let the White Lion become just another 'remember when'. Let's bring it back - together."

The pub is thought to date back to 1614 and when it was open had fires, beams and settles.

One former regular said: "The White Lion has been one of my favourite pubs for many years. Great food and pleasant people behind the bar.

"I remember at one point it had been in the same family or many years. So very disappointed that it's closed and do hope that it will be able to reopen soon."

Another said: "I grew up in Barthomley and spent many happy times as a young girl in The Lion. You had to be 18 though as everyone knew everyone and exactly how old you were.

"All the bikers gathered at The Lion on a Friday night and it was pretty awesome Friday night. There was a home grown vegetables competition followed by the card game,shove hapenny. Wonderful memories."