AFTER a six year search for the right premises, a Moreton couple are celebrating after taking over a village pub just a few miles up the road.

Steve and Amanda Aubrey took over The Plough Inn, Stretton-on-Fosse, in June and spent a week refurbishing it before opening it to the public on June 13.

They are looking forward to the official opening on Friday which marks a month since they took the business over.

It has been a rather extraordinary chain of events that have led the pair to taking over the pub which they have always dreamt of owning.

Mr Aubrey, aged 45, who was born and bred in Blockley, said he discovered he went to Evesham High School with the previous owner by chance after popping into the pub on his way back from Charingworth Manor two years ago.

"That was quite a bizarre meeting," said the father-of-two. "Over the two years we got to know each other very well. We had already looked at trying to find a pub that was right for us since 2008 but we never stumbled across the right one.

"We always said if the Plough ever came up it would be perfect for us. The timing was perfect as the boys have grown up.The whole things has slotted into place in our lives."

Luckily for the couple, all their dreams came true and the pub was on the market last November, and sold to the Aubreys the following month.

The place has been given a face lift inside and out with a new kitchen and awning outside and the building has been white-washed.

Their French head chef Christophe le Faint, who previously worked at Alexious for seven years in Chipping Campden, has designed the menu and will be serving up traditional cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.

The pub serves local beers from local breweries including the Wychwood brewery and in the winter months, punters can look forward to a roast on a spit over the inglenook fire.

Mr Aubrey, who ran a maintenance company in Moreton for 10 years, said the support from the community had been great.

"All the locals have been absolutely fantastic," he added. "We've had so much help and support from them. It's a beautiful little pub it really it. The villagers are passionate about it."

The Plough is open Monday to Saturday 11am to 11pm and Sundays noon to 10.30pm.