The future of a well-loved pub could be saved after a local community decided to band together to save it. 

Owners of the George Hotel in Orton, Marstons Brewery plc, have recently placed the property on the market for sale.  

Its current tenants are vacating this autumn with residents advised that this could lead to the closure of the hotel.

Orton Parish Council has now registered the property as a 'Community Asset' and called a meeting to determine the level of interest in community ownership.

It wanted to see if a committee could investigate the viability of the village acquiring and running the pub. 

Parish council chairman Kyle Blue chaired the meeting with guest speaker David Graham.

Kyle said: "Orton is a lovely old Westmorland village which five years ago became part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. At the heart of the village is the George Hotel, which not only serves the village, but is a destination for weary coast-to-coast walkers, reaching the halfway point of their walk across England.

"The owners Marstons brewery placed the business on the market and there is a strong possibility that it will close when the current tenants leave in the autumn. The village inn is a vital part of any rural community and the villagers have come together to try and purchase the George and manage it as a community asset .

"Many of the villagers attended a recent meeting and formed a group which it is hoped can move forward to raise the funds required. Watch this space."

The Westmorland Gazette:

Guest speaker David was involved with the community of Crosby Ravensworth. Together, they managed to save the Butchers Arms, which has now been a profitable community-owned pub for 13½ years.

He told attendees that 'it can be done' - adding that the numbers present in the meeting were extremely encouraging.

He then went on to explain how Crosby Ravensworth members bought shares in the property and worked enormously hard in first stripping, then redesigning the interior using many different skills.

The chairman added that there was a steady flow of questions to the speaker from all over the hall and that the general mood was positive, enthusiastic and determined.

When the meeting closed after an hour’s non-stop discussion, many spoke to the chairman to either volunteer to serve on a committee or recommend others whose positive attitudes, personal skills and range of useful contacts would make them valuable members.

Since then, Kyle has said many have come forward to create a good committee that will meet within the next ten days to decide positions and plan a way forward.