WORK is progressing fast on the rebuilding of one of Oxford's most popular pubs - a year on from a devastating fire.

On May 8 last year, 80 firefighters were called to the 17th-century Perch, in Binsey, after a faulty chimney flue set the thatched roof ablaze.

The roof was destroyed and the interior badly damaged. Thirty years ago the pub was badly damaged in a fire caused by an electrical fault.

Repair work after last year's fire started in January and yesterday the pub's manager, Johnny Mignon, 31, who lost all his possessions in the blaze, said he was pleased how well the work was going.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted at the progress that is being made and am hoping to reopen the pub at the beginning of July.

"During the past few weeks, the new thatched roof has gone up and the pub is looking much more like its old self again. Villagers have been telling me how pleased they are to see the work taking place.

"At first, the whole refurbishment was going very slowly - there were some delays - but considering the work only started properly in January, I think we have done very well.

"Once the thatching has been completed, we will focus more on the pub's interior but I am confident that the work will be finished on schedule.

"It's beautiful weather at the moment, so all the staff are looking forward to having the pub open again at the centre of the village.

"We are planning a fete on July 20, with all the villagers invited. Mr Mignon added that he planned to invite more than 100 firefighters who tried to save the pub. "There will be a big barbecue and spit roast and we will raise funds for the village church," he said.

Alison Cobb, who lives nearby, said: "It's wonderful to see the thatched roof going back up - the whole village is really pleased about it."

Bampton thatcher Andrew Bowman said: "The job has taken five weeks so far and we will probably be there for another two weeks.

"We have used combed straw and there is a firebreak beneath the thatch. I also did the job after the fire in 1978."