CELEBRITY chef Raymond Blanc led the celebrations as villagers completed their takeover of The Bull in Great Milton.

Around 300 residents, nearly half the village’s population, joined their famous neighbour to raise their glasses after securing the future of the last remaining pub in the community.

The picturesque 17th century pub had been put up for sale by Greene King at the end of last year. Within days of the announcement villagers held a public meeting and formed a committee to save The Bull.

Their efforts followed the closure of the village’s three other pubs The Red Lion, The Bell and King’s Head, in recent years.

All have been turned into housing.

Now just five months on, residents have realised their dream of buying the pub for themselves.

Stephen Harrod, who led the team that bought The Bull, said: “It just shows how important the last pub in the village is – and what a community can do if it pulls together.”

More than £250,000 was raised from the village alone.

Contributions ranged from £500 to £20,000 and with the backing of a local benefactor and practical help from numerous individuals, organisations and charities, the purchase was completed last week.

Villagers have created their own company, the Great Milton Community Pub Ltd, with fundraising set to continue.

Mr Harrod, an industrial writer, said: “It’s not too late for people to buy shares in the pub.

“We would like to raise a further £70,000 so we can move on with refurbishment work.”

He said the purchase would not have been possible without the support and a £2,000 grant from the Plunkett Foundation, a charitable organisation that helps communities and local projects.

The Bull is regularly used by guests staying at the famous restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, down the road.

And Mr Harrod confirmed that Mr Blanc, the creator of Le Manoir, had made a cash donation.

Doug Smith, a villager with experience in the pub and catering business, will run The Bull on a temporary basis until a full time tenant is appointed.

Mr Blanc said earlier: “I am pleased to support a much-needed village amenity. Finding the right landlord who can create a welcoming ambiance is key. “With so many villagers providing financial support they obviously appreciate the need for a successful pub.”

The village’s initiative had been warmly welcomed by real ale campaigners including Steve Lawrence, secretary of the Oxford branch of Camra (The Campaign for Real Ale).

Mr Lawrence said: “Anything that keeps a pub open is a good idea.

“But it is great when it happens in a village, with local people co-operating together.

“It is a very difficult thing to pull off.”