A south Wales village has clubbed together to buy the local pub after it was threatened with demolition.

Locals were outraged at plans to bulldoze the Fox and Hounds at Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan, in order to build luxury homes.

So nearly 60 villagers chipped in more than �150,000 to keep their pub on tap.

The picturesque pub is the centre of life in the tiny village - population 150.

Urgent action

The news comes just days after government calls for urgent action to save village pubs.

The Countryside Agency, which advises on rural issues, says six village pubs close every week.

Llancarfan vicar Rev Malcolm Davies said: "The pub is the centre of the community. We should be drawing people together not pushing them away.

"We are losing our heritage in the countryside as it is.

"After church, my congregation come straight down the pub for a quick pint and, if I ever want to speak to my flock, I come down the pub.

Catastrophic

"A full glass of ale in the summer sun is heaven."

Rev Davies, 63, said: "It would be catastrophic if the pub were to close."

Tenant landlord Digby Rees and his wife Jenny faced losing their home when the owners proposed selling up.

Mr Rees said: "People were dismayed at the thought of the pub closing because the next pub is miles away."

The campaign started when four villagers formed the Reynard Community Project, named after the Fox and Hounds, and the scheme was then backed by the Bank of Wales.

Viable

Corporate manager Gareth Redding said: "The company set up to buy the Fox and Hounds presented a viable and comprehensive plan.

"The deal shows what can be done by local communities when they are really committed to an idea.

"I would not be surprised if we see other schemes along the same lines."