A pub saved by its villagers in a fundraising campaign backed by the EDP will continue to celebrate its success with a winter beer festival this weekend.

Eastern Daily Press: The Kings Arms in Shouldham. Picture: Matthew Usher.The Kings Arms in Shouldham. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2014)

The residents of Shouldham rallied round to save the King's Arms from permanent closure amid fears of losing their last remaining watering hole in the village.

Alongside winning a grant to help buy the historic venue overlooking the village green from Punch Taverns, people raised a huge amount from selling shares to residents to ensure it is run by the community, for the community.

The groundbreaking campaign, which paved the way for many other community pubs, won widespread backing - including from celebrity Stephen Fry and the EDP.

After opening under the management of landlord Ian Skinner in 2014, the venue has gone from strength to strength - winning awards such as West Norfolk Camra Pub of the Year 2017 for two years running.

Eastern Daily Press: The King's Arms in Shouldham is holding a winter beer festival this weekend. Picture: Matthew Usher.The King's Arms in Shouldham is holding a winter beer festival this weekend. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2014)

Its summer beer festival has already become a fixture in the calendar but the pub held its first winter beer festival last year.

The event proved so popular it has returned for 2018, with band The Hobblers playing live at the opening day on Friday (January 26) and Run Devil Run playing on Saturday (January 27) night.

Organisers say the event will celebrate strong bitters, rubys, porters, milds, stouts and more.

'Our indoor winter festival is much smaller than our summer festival and takes place inside the pub,' a spokesman for the pub said.

Eastern Daily Press: The King's Arms at Shouldham is holding a winter beer festival. Picture: Matthew Usher.The King's Arms at Shouldham is holding a winter beer festival. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: � Archant Norfolk 2014)

'It may be smaller, but, it's equally matched when it comes to delicious beer.'

Food will be served from the normal lunchtime menu with beer festival food in the evening, served from the marquee.

For more information, visit the King's Arms website.

Eastern Daily Press: The King's Arms in Shouldham. Picture: Ian BurtThe King's Arms in Shouldham. Picture: Ian Burt

Eastern Daily Press: Picture: Ian BurtPicture: Ian Burt