ONE of Abingdon's oldest pubs - the 16th-century Kings Head and Bell - has closed for a revamp.

Barry Ladhar, of owners Ladhar Leisure, said: "We plan to invest a substantial amount of money for a major internal refurbishment. In the meantime, we have decided to close the pub.

"We have to submit a planning application to the council and, until this has been sorted out, I can't give a date when the pub will reopen, but we hope early in the New Year."

Five years ago the Kings Head and Bell, in East St Helen Street, won a Jubilee Heritage award in a national campaign to recognise the role that Britain's pubs play in preserving the nation's architectural heritage.

The pub saw off competition from hundreds of pubs around the country to earn the award for its restoration.

Peter Simmonds, 53, said he was eagerly awaiting the restoration of the pub that had been his local for more than 20 years.

Mr Simmonds said: "I'm looking forward to seeing how it will look once the work has been done and getting back in there.

"I've missed propping up the bar on a Friday night."

The pub is one of only two remaining old coaching inns in Abingdon.

It had fallen into disrepair and was on the verge of closing in 1999 until Wessex Taverns, based in the North-East of England, bought the pub and began restoration work. Ladhar Leisure took over Wessex Taverns earlier this year.

Abingdon councillor Lesley Legge said she thought the renovation of the pub would be fantastic for the town.

She said: "I'm aware that it is one of the oldest hostelries around and it would be good if it were brought back into a good state, as it has some great features.

"It's part of the town's history that is associated with the Civil War, so I will be delighted once it is refurbished and reopened."