A HAMPSHIRE pub that survived an eight-month closure has raised thousands of pounds for NHS charities by staging a weekly quiz.

Staff at the Horse and Groom at Woodgreen, near Fordingbridge, have spent months collecting cash from contestants sitting in the pub as well as those taking part online.

The collections have been boosted by contributions from the landlord, Jason Schinkel.

Sales of the Woodgreen Lockdown Quiz Book have also raised much-needed cash for the three good causes supported by the pub.

Anthony Swift, who runs the quiz, said: “I’m incredibly grateful to all those who have supported us - regular customers who do the quiz live in the pub, those who join in online and those who have bought the book."

The charities backed by the Horse and Groom are the the Stars Appeal, Friends of Fordingbridge Surgery and NHS Heroes in Bournemouth.

Each will each receive a further £1,000 on top of the £1,500 previously handed over, taking the total to £7,500.

The Horse and Groom closed in September 2018 and remained shut for eight months.

As reported in the Daily Echo, villagers launched a campaign to raise the £700,000 needed to buy the building and turn it into a community pub.

In a statement they said: “The Horse and Groom has been at the heart of village life since Victorian times and is depicted in the famous murals at the village hall.

“Unfortunately in recent years it has lost some of its lustre, which has presumably led to the brewery putting the property on the market.

“Now it’s up for sale the villagers are determined to work together to revive the pub as a hidden gem."

Campaigners managed to raise £550,000 but the pub was bought by Mr Schinkel, who reopened the popular watering hole in April 2019.

The quiz takes place at the Horse and Groom every Tuesday at 7.30pm. To book a table call 01725 510739.