A COUPLE celebrated 15 years of running a popular pub in South Abingdon.

Paul and Beverley Vanstone marked the anniversary with a party at the Midget, attended by past and present staff, close friends and customers.

The couple, who have a nine-year-old daughter called Grace, were presented with a cake decorated like the pub, a plaque and other gifts on Saturday.

The Greene King in Midget Close, has gone through dramatic changes with the husband and wife team at the helm. Mrs Vanstone, 35, said it had been, and continued to be, an exciting journey for them both.

“Myself and Paul have loved every minute in charge of a great pub,” she said.

“When you look at it today compared to when we first took over, it is staggering how far it has come. It’s almost unrecognisable from 15 years ago.

“We both feel very proud to have been here for so long, and obviously want to thank all the staff that have worked with us and the customers that have helped make the Midget what it is.

“We have made so many really close friends here and it was great to see so many faces at the party to mark our time here.

“We feel very fortunate and are already looking forward to the next 15 years.”

Among the long-serving staff at the pub are Mary Brown and Kim Charlton, who have 49 years of service between them.

Mr Vanstone, 36, said that Mrs Brown, who started at the Midget in 1979, and Mrs Charlton had played a big role in making the pub so successful.