HUNDREDS of punters raised a toast as a popular Southampton pub saved from the brink of closure jubilantly reopened.

Families, friends and regulars flocked to the Bittern Pub in Thornhill for its opening weekend of celebrations.

Now landlords say they are relishing starting a new chapter in the life of the 80-year-old hostelry in Thornhill Park Road.

And it comes as the celebrations continue tonight with live music from band the Junco Shakers.

The much-loved drinking hole hit the headlines when residents launched a public crusade to save it after plans were revealed to turn it into a McDonald’s restaurant.

But once the local community found out that the popular Bittern pub was to be shut they launched a high profile campaign to save it.

That was successful after a public inquiry rejected the fast food brand’s plans.

Residents then applied to the city council and with the support of regulars, it was granted special status as an Asset of Community Value in September 2015.

After initially putting the pub on the market in 2013, owners Punch Taverns have now decided to invest in the local boozer and have carried out £460,000 refurbishment.

Scores of punters poured through the doors last night for its all-singing all-dancing opening bash.

It followed the pub letting in a small number of regulars in the previous evening to watch the England vs Portugal football match.

Drinkers admired the newly refurbed décor and enjoyed playing, pool and darts and relaxing in the garden – fitted with outdoor tables and a children’s playground.

There was also a disco and people strutted their stuff in karaoke sessions.

Landlord Glen McInnes, who has been at The Bittern for the last three years, will continue to run it with his wife Hayley.

He said: “We are really excited to finally open it. People are very excited to see the new place and there has been so much support for the pub. The locals know it is so special.”

One person returning was Pat Storey, 75, from Thornhill Park Road, a former barmaid there for 11 years.

She said: “I absolutely love the new pub – it looks really good. I’ve worked in the pub industry for 45 years and this is one of the old type of pub that you don’t often get anymore. It’s so much better that it hasn’t been turned into a McDonalds and that we have a local pub.”

The Junco Shakers play from 8.30pm tonight and there will be a bingo night on Monday.