A CHISELDON pub enjoyed a visit from South Swindon's MP as it welcomed back customers.

Robert Buckland popped into the Patriot Arms to pull a pint, meet new managers Sanjay Dogra and Raj Patel and find out how it has helped the community.

As the village's only pub, the Patriot Arms delivered more than one thousand free hot meals to key workers, elderly and vulnerable people in the area during lockdown with the help of parish councillor Pradeep Bhardwaj.

Mr Buckland said: “Here in Chiseldon, it is really important that we support pubs like the Patriot Arms, celebrate its history and come together as a community to support it."

The managers are keen to let punters help them decide how it is run and what facilities they want. Safeguarding measures have been set up to make sure the pub is safe to visit post-lockdown.

Mr Dogra and Mr Patel said they were grateful for the community's support and to Mr Buckland for taking the time to come and have a chat with them and people from the village.

The pair said they were brimming with optimism, energy and enthusiasm, and promised to restore the Patriot Arms to its 'old glory'.