A riverside pub is set for a revival after a couple stepped in to spruce up the neglected Oxford drinking spot.

Part-time psychiatrist and former corporate lawyer Dr Jonathan Price and his wife Jane have bought the Isis Tavern, on the River Thames towpath, near Iffley Lock.

The couple, who moved into the nearby Isis Boathouse three years ago and opened a cafe, have turned the neglected pub, which has been renamed the Isis Farmhouse, into a licensed riverside cafe.

Dr Price said: "The pub was going downhill. Greene King, which owned it, decided to sell and we thought we should buy it."

The Isis is close to Iffley Lock and was originally part of the Rose Hill dispersal zone - but the boundaries of the zone were redrawn to exclude the area in January 2007.

Dr Price said: "There was enough trouble for it to be included in the dispersal zone, but the problems were really limited to the lock with young people causing problems there.

"But along the towpath where the Isis is, problems had been few and far between."

Another issue was the problems with access as the pub can only be reached by bicycle, foot or boat - and that applies to suppliers as well as customers.

Dr Price said: "It is like having a front door that is half a mile away, which is challenging when you have got to get daily deliveries.

"The building has generally suffered over the years and it is not in a great state."

The couple wanted to change the image of the pub and have rebranded it as a licensed cafe.

David Penwarden, who lives in nearby Mill Lane and is a member of the Friends of Iffley, said: "The place was languishing, it hadn't been serving food and you were never quite sure when it was going to be open. But there was a great feeling of excitement at the opening. I am hopeful it will be a big success."

Initially, the pub will open 4pm to 11pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 11pm Fridays and 10.30am to 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays.