The Bay Horse Inn at Oxenhope is to remain as a pub after being bought by a small West Yorkshire-based chain.

EM Inns hopes to have the hostelry in Upper Town open in time for Christmas with a new manager.

News of the rescue comes after villagers and ward councillors expressed concern the Bay Horse would be ‘lost’ as a vital community facility.

But EM Inns boss Matthew Evans this week said his purchase is currently going through the legal process and is being dealt with by solicitors.

Mr Evans said EM Inns specialises in turning round struggling pubs by making them the heart of their communities.

The company – set up about six years ago – has five other pubs across the north-west.

Mr Evans added: “This will be our only pub in Yorkshire, even though we are based in Huddersfield.

“What we do is take ailing pubs and get them bought by an investor, then build them back up again.

“Our pubs vary a little, but they are all local community pubs. The Bay Horse is a lovely pub and Oxenhope is a nice village. Our biggest problem now is to find someone to run it.”

Mr Evans stressed although the Bay Horse will serve food, it will remain a pub rather than becoming a restaurant.

When the Bay Horse went on the market for £295,000 last summer, rumours were rife it would be turned into a restaurant.

News the Bay Horse will remain a community pub was met with delight by the Worth Valley ward councillors who campaigned to save it.

Coun Glen Miller said: “We welcome it for the chance to keep employment and resources in the area.

“I’m pleased to think our bit of publicity might have helped.”

Fellow Bradford councillor Russell Brown said he was “super happy” to hear about the purchase.

He added: “It’s what we were keen on rather than it being turned into something else. It sounds great.”

Anyone wishing to apply to become the new Bay Horse manager should contact Mr Evans on 07792 676804.