THE Kear family's dedication and determination to turn around the fortunes of a down-at-heel Forest of Dean pub has won praise from the village folk of Blakeney.

In less than a year the Kings Head has been transformed from a neglected and boarded-up village eyesore to an inn and restaurant which has become the talk of the district.

It's success, says landlady Hayley Kear, is down to team work and innovation.

She says: "It's a family friendly community pub. We wanted to make it an asset to the village and I hope and believe we have done that."

For years the Kings Head struggled. A succession of tenants came and went until the brewery owners finally pulled the curtains, boarded up the windows and put up 'For Sale' signs.

Given its track record it looked to be a huge gamble, but Hayley, her husband David, and son Robbie had a vision.

"We had been living in the village for four years and realised there was a need for the Kings Head. It was obviously a huge risk but the pub had previously known good as well as bad times. It has been a village asset since 1861 and a landmark for thousands of people who pass through Blakeney every day.

"In the 1980s the then landlady, Pat Morley, was a legend for her 16oz T-bone steaks so we thought there was nothing stopping us from achieving the same success."

The family took the plunge and became owners of the inn in February of this year. By May they were ready to open, and what a great occasion it proved to be.

"We were greeted by hundreds of local people and ever since the pub has flourished. The restaurant has been a massive success and what pleases us so much is that we have a lot of repeat trade and bookings for family and other special occasions," says Hayley.

Emphasising the role the pub has to play in supporting the community, Hayley says a race night is being arranged for the New Year to raise funds for the village youth club, the under fives group and the football club.

She said: "There's so much more to running a pub than just pulling pints. We have a role to play in the village and the wider community and perhaps it is because we have proved we have a commitment we have been able to make a success of the pub."

Hayley has one wish...she wants a quiz team to turn up for the weekly Sunday evening competition and knock the champions, the Brains Greeners, off their perch. "They win almost every week and its time they were put in their place," she said.