IT IS the family-friendly pub that recently celebrated serving locals for more than 50 years.

The Bede’s Lea, in North Baddesley, is a firm favourite with those in the Test Valley village.

The Great British Pub Awards winner reached its half-century last month and celebrated with its valued punters at a special event.

The pub was last refurbished in May 2015 when it reopened with Swan Hospitality, a family run business.

A year later the pub was crowned a Great British Pub Award winner for the South East Region for the “best turnaround” pub.

Since then, the pub has focused on events for children, families and music lovers, and has hosted a range of events from petting farms and circus workshops to tribute nights, bands and barbecues, hog roasts and more recently speed-quizzing using phone apps.

Director of Swan Hospitality, Liz Page, said: “The community support we receive is great - The Bede’s Lea is a real community pub.

“We have some fantastically loyal locals. It is in a great location

“Our recent anniversary was really successful. We raised £280 for charity and lots of people came along to have fun, the David Bowie tribute was a great hit.

“We hope the pub will still be standing in 50 years as the support from the community is just so strong.”

The pub has now teamed up with the recently formed North Baddesley Community Events, a community group which aims to promote community spirit by running and assisting events.

This Christmas they are looking at organising an event in the precinct with carols, fair ground rides and stalls.

The committee will run a raffle with prizes donated by businesses and various games including a pool league. Money raised will be split between the pub’s charity - building a school in the Gambia - and the community group.