More than 1,800 people campaigned to save the Sarah Siddons on the Woodloes estate after hearing Tesco was interested in buying the site earlier this year.

The feeling was so strong that brewery Punch Taverns decided to keep the pub and have already spent thousands of pounds transforming it into a smart family venue.

Woodloes Action Group member Gordon Dando has lived on the estate for 26 years and has been drinking at the Sarah Siddons for the last decade.

He said: "I am really excited. I can't wait for it to open. We do go to other pubs but it isn't and never will be the same.

"Where we go there is nowhere to sit outside and what we are really missing with the sunny weather is somewhere to sit local outside and have a drink."

Residents and Warwick town and district councillors joined together to help save their pub and independent shops in Reardon Court, which they say would have suffered from a supermarket opening.

News the campaign had been a success was released in March and residents were introduced to new licensees Melanie Cooknell and her fiance, Rob Twigger, at a public meeting later that month.

Mr Dando now hopes residents will use and support the pub to keep it going for future generations.

He added: "People will definitely use it a lot more. A lot of the younger people want to come back to the pub. This time it will be treated with respect. There will be a proper mix of people, from younger ones to older ones.

"Everyone keeps asking when it will open and some residents drive past it everyday to see what has happened next."

Ms Cooknell and Mr Twigger, who live in Ridgeway Close, are hoping to create a family atmosphere with traditional pub food, darts teams and quiz nights.

Residents and regulars have been volunteering helping in the pub's garden and with redecorating to get it ready for the opening.

A Punch Taverns spokeswoman said: "The investment proposal is just being finalised. We are delighted to have new licensees on board and the plan is to transform the pub from a basic local into a family-focused venue that is an asset to the local community.

"Plans include the introduction of a new food offer and a complete refurbishment inside and out. We are aiming for completion in time for a big re-opening in the summer."