The first cask of beer was delivered to The Fox Inn in Garboldisham today, as the community celebrated becoming the owners of the pub.

Eastern Daily Press: Peter Smith, director of the Garboldisham Fox Community Interest Company, campaigner Janet Hance and MP Elizabeth Truss, open The Fox Inn. Picture: Rebecca Murphy.Peter Smith, director of the Garboldisham Fox Community Interest Company, campaigner Janet Hance and MP Elizabeth Truss, open The Fox Inn. Picture: Rebecca Murphy. (Image: Archant)

The village turned out to mark the occasion and there was clapping as the cask was lifted off the dray cart by members of the Garboldisham Fox Community Interest Company.

For nine years the pub has stood empty but it was officially opened by Elizabeth Truss, MP for south west Norfolk, who is a long-time supporter of the community group.

Ms Truss said: 'I think the number of people here today just shows how important The Fox pub is to the village of Garboldisham and what a fantastic job everybody has done getting the pub to this stage.

'I think village pubs are so important for life and everybody in the village and it is fantastic to get to this stage.'

It is estimated it will take two years for the 242-year-old building to be reopened as a pub and restaurant.

However it will be open on a pop-up basis on Friday nights and on Saturday and Sunday, starting in a few weeks time.

Peter Smith, director of the community group, said: 'This is like reaching base camp at Everest. We have come a long way but we still have a long way to go.

'The nice thing about this village is people always pull together. Nobody has had a bad thing to say about what we are doing.'