Pubs all over the country continue to close at an alarming rate, but the new landlord at Steeple Morden’s last remaining watering hole is on a mission to get the Waggon and Horses thriving.

The village used to boast eight pubs but now just one remains, with Mick, Tina and Michael Gough behind the bar and on a mission to make sure it can continue to serve its regulars.

Mick, who was brought up in pubs and always dreamed of becoming a landlord himself, said: “We have not stopped with our ideas since we first walked in the door.

“We are organising family days, music events, beer festivals and lots of activity to get locals out of their homes, into what we hope will become their favourite place.

“Pubs are a great British institution, a legacy that we are keen to carry on.

“We are here to listen to and serve our customers and aim to prove that we are worthy of their support.”

The family have introduced a new menu including a late night takeaway service, spruced the pub up, brought back pub traditions such as darts, petanque and poker and installed BT Sports.

The family is definitely taking responsibility for saving the last village pub seriously.

They have already formed relationships with local clubs and groups, extending the pub’s facilities.

They are supporting the local Parent Teachers Association and are due to host a race night on Wednesday, May 25, in aid of prostate cancer research, inspired by one local who was recently treated for the disease.

There will also be a darts tournament on Saturday, May 21, a motorcycle club session on Monday, May 23, and another race on Friday, May 27, as well as events to mark the Queen’s birthday in June and the Euro 2016 football tournament in June and July.

The Waggon and Horses is owned by Hawthorn Leisure and operated on a tenancy agreement by Mick and Tina.

In Fowlmere a community bid to buy the Queen’s Head pub is under way, and people have until next Wednesday, May 11, to put forward a written expression of interest to South Cambs District Council.