THE future of the New Inn pub in Amesbury has been secured.

The sale of the High Street pub was completed last week.

A spokesman for Enterprise, who owned the pub, said: "We can confirm that we have completed a sale for the New Inn, Amesbury and the freehold of the site has now passed to the new owner."

It has been bought by Gold Leaf Property Investments.

The New Inn re-opened on Friday night and will still be run by Dolly Wood.

She said: "It is a massive relief. Everyone is so happy."

This comes after pub supporters launched a campaign to save the pub after Enterprise said it would be auctioning it in September.

Dolly says the support she has received from the community has been "humbling".

She said: "I just wanted to keep the pub open for everyone that comes in here. It's been very humbling. I just want to thank everybody that has supported us and kept me strong. I could not have done it on my own. I am humbled and proud of them all."

Toni Lawry said: “It’s amazing news – it’s been hard over the last few weeks but we have all pulled together.

“We all call Dolly ‘mum’ — she’s always there for us and we are absolutely thrilled the pub has been saved.”

An application was previously submitted to make the pub into an asset of community value.

Pete Matthews, who is also the membership secretary for Salisbury and south Wiltshire CAMRA, said: “We supported the New Inn as an asset of community value. I personally feel there is a gap in Amesbury in the Good Pub Guide and I would like to see this in the 2017 book when it comes out next year.

“We are near one of the oldest settlements in England — let’s get this pub on the map with decent ale and decent food. It’s a tourist town, let’s bring people in.”

The Communi-tea Cottage, located in the courtyard of the pub, will continue to be used for activities by the local community such as arts and crafts, book clubs and knitting groups.