Hopes are high that a village pub which has sat dormant for nearly two years will be brought back to its former glory.

The Swan Inn in Mattishall, near Dereham, is the last pub in one of Norfolk's largest villages.

It closed its doors in December 2012, just six months after it was taken over by its latest owners Rob and Angie Martin.

The couple had made progress with turning the pub into the establishment they said they believed the village wanted and deserved – but said they were forced to leave 'prematurely'.

Now, 21 months down the line, the pub's lease has been sold, indicating that the Dereham Road establishment will reopen as a pub.

New gates have gone up outside the premises and it is hoped The Swan will be reopening shortly.

A spokesman from Christie + Co, which dealt with the sale of the lease, said he was unable to provide details of the new owner but confirmed that the lease had been sold within the last couple of weeks.

He added: 'The fact that it's a lease that's been sold suggests it will be reopening as a pub.'

News of the sale has been welcomed by people living in the village.

Mattishall Parish Council chairman Richard Norton said: 'We were very sorry when the pub closed before and it has stayed empty for a while now.

'It's in a sorry state and aesthetically it will improve things.

'It's a good meeting-point and a pub for the village.

'It will be good to see it going again and we wish the chap luck and hope he will make a good go of it.' The future of the Swan Inn was previously surrounded in uncertainty after Roger Lee closed up after four years at the helm, blaming a lack of support from village residents for its closure.

There has been a pub on the Swan Inn site in Mattishall since the late 1700s. The pub was rebuilt in 1934.

Are you trying to save a community facility in the Dereham area? Call Kate Scotter on 01362 854703 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk