THE Red House Community Group has sent a Christmas update on the progress the campaign to keep a Whitchurch pub open.

The London Street watering hole is now registered as an Asset of Community Value, which gives the community the opportunity to bid on a property when it goes up for sale.

A bank account has been opened with Metro Bank in Basingstoke and the campaign group is a registered member of the Plunkett Foundation, a charity which supports the creation of community businesses.

The Red House Community Pub Group chair Mark Bishop said: “We are now looking to having a survey and valuation done on the Red House early in the new year, thanks to the funds we have raised among supporters with our silent auction.”