A VILLAGE pub which closed and became a house is now ready to reopen its doors to thirsty punters again.

The Hare and Hounds, in High Street, Stramshall, was stripped and turned into a home after a decline in trade in the late 1990s.

But now the building has been transformed back into a watering hole by new owner Ashley Guntripp.

He has previously breathed life into the nearby Old Bramshall Inn.

The 21-year-old, who formerly held the title of youngest landlord in the country, has reopened the Hare and Hounds as a bar and contemporary restaurant.

Opening night drinks and canopies will be served on Monday from 6pm.

Meanwhile, the food menu is due to be ready on March 7.

Mr Guntripp, who has also run a bar in Stafford, was excited about the chance of developing the family pub he remembered from his youth.

The father-of-one said: "My christening party was held in the Hare and Hounds and I can recall coming here for meals as a young boy. This feels like a homecoming.

"I'm under no illusions this is the biggest challenge of my career, but word soon gets around about quality beer, food and service.

"A lot of pubs are struggling and the answer is almost always to go cheaper with drink and pub grub.

"Our emphasis is on high standards and I am sure it will pay off."

Records show the Hare and Hounds was serving ale to customers from 1890.

At the time, barkeeper Thomas Griffin and his son Tom also ran a cobblers on the premises for their farming customers.

The pub was a popular venue from the 1950s to the 1980s, but gradually lost custom before the last pint was pulled 10 years ago.

Mr Guntripp said: "I have always thought Stramshall needs a pub and I hope we can get the support of villagers.

"It has taken a lot of help from friends and family to get the place ready for Monday.

"We only realised there was an opportunity to move in here before Christmas.

"But I am very impatient and I can't wait to see the place busy again."

The former Thomas Alleyne's student first tasted working life in a pub when he became a 12-year-old waiter at The Cock Inn, in Beamhurst.

As an 18-year-old at The Castle Tavern, in Stafford, he served up exotic dishes such as crocodile steak to make his establishment stand out.

Mr Guntripp will continue to manage the Old Bramshall Inn, which he took over 12 months ago.

He said: "The Bramshall Inn is still going strong but I want to be at the Hare and Hounds for the long-term.

"At the moment the plan is for a real traditional pub menu with first-rate food, but I always keep an open mind on new dishes."