A historic south Bucks pub will no longer be redeveloped thanks a hard-fought campaign by the community.

The 300-year-old Red Lion in Knotty Green, near Beaconsfield, faced closure after it was bought by developers to be turned into housing, who then pulled out of the deal at the last minute.

A campaign was launched to save the pub, which a support group said needed to stay the “centre of the community”.

It was saved from closure but concerns remained about its future.

It will now remain as a pub, with owners Punch Taverns looking at putting in a “significant investment” to keep it open and running.

A spokesman said: “We can confirm that we are no longer looking to sell the Red Lion in Knotty Green and that the pub is currently open and trading to the local community.

“We are delighted to say that we are assessing plans for significant investment in the Red Lion and see the pub as part of our long term plans.”

Landlady Liz Scowen, who runs the pub with husband Steven, said it was a “really good thing” for the community and the action group – the Red Lion Support Group – who fought to keep it going.

She said: “Everyone is very pleased about it. We are very pleased. We have been there since the start [of the campaign] and it’s nice to see the end product.

“Punch have said they are going to spend a lot of money to bring it up to standard and as long as they do that, and keep the rent reasonable, we intend to carry on running the pub.”

Members of the Red Lion Support Group, who met with Punch Taverns earlier this month, said they were delighted when they were given the good news.

They said in a statement: “The meeting was constructive and friendly. We made it clear that our overall objective was to ensure the Red Lion remains open.

“We also stressed our support for Steve and Liz and the fantastic work that they have done in developing the pub.

“We were delighted when Punch told us that they no longer see the sale of the pub for a change of use is realistic, and that they are committed to making it work as a pub.

“We are now looking forward to working with Punch Taverns to help shape the future of the pub.”

The Red Lion has been listed as an asset of community value by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).