An historic pub on the verge of being lost forever has reopened.

The Red Lion in Silsden closed during the winter and was advertised for sale with possible alternative uses.

But now a family from Elland has stepped in to rescue the hostelry, whose history dates back centuries.

Gary Broadley has taken the lease and his daughter, Danielle, is managing the pub.

“It means a lot to us to be in a place with such a great history and meaning for the town,” said Mr Broadley.

“We have refurbished and redecorated to make it feel fresh and bright, and brought the bar up to modern standards, but we have also done our best to keep the traditional features that make it special. Photographs and memorabilia for display would be very welcome.”

The reopening has been welcomed by Silsden Local History Group, which has researched the origins of the Red Lion and the role it has played in community life throughout the generations.

The inn, which had its own brew house, was built initially as a simple beer shop in the early 1700s. The first known innkeeper was Joseph Steel, who was born in 1741.

During the 19th century the pub was run by the Weatherhead family, after whom a Silsden street was named, and the premises became a centre of musical and educational enterprise.

The last member of the family to run the inn was Herbert Weatherhead, who died in 1929.