A PUB owner who let his tavern fall into a “state of disrepair” has completed urgent works following a council order.

Graham Horder shut the Five Bells in Nether Wallop in 2013 and since then the pub has been left vacant and a group of villagers have been bidding to buy the inn.

But in May last year Test Valley Borough Council issued an Urgent Works Notice to force Mr Horder to conduct emergency repairs to the property and the work has now finished.

He was instructed to carry out vital work to the Grade II listed property in a bid to prevent further deterioration and to keep it weatherproof, safe from collapse and to prevent vandalism or theft.

Planning portfolio holder, Councillor Nick Adams-King, said: “As a local pub, the Five Bells is a valuable community asset and it is therefore important that the council seeks to work with the owner and village residents to ensure its long-term future.

“The condition of the Grade II listed building has deteriorated significantly since it closed in 2013, which is why we took the decision to serve the notice before it got any worse.

“Council officers have recently inspected the building and are content that the owner has complied with the notice. We are now considering whether further repairs are needed as well as potential courses of action.

Councillor Adams-King, added: “Local residents remain keen to see the pub re-open and we will continue to do all we can to protect it.”

After the pub was closed community group Five Bells Community Pub Ltd was set up which wants to refurbish the tavern and run it for the future benefit of the community. Before urgent work was completed the group welcomed the notice.