An Abingdon pub is reverting to its old name after a public outcry.

In December 1995, the Nag's Head on Abingdon Bridge was renamed The Mill House as part of a branding exercise by the owners, Mill House Inns.

John Thornton and assistant Peter Falgate outside the pubRegulars complained that the pub had traded as the Nag's Head for more than 100 years, and there was no historical evidence of a mill standing on the bridge.

Now, landlord John Thornton is reverting to the traditional name after appealing to the new owners of Mill House Inns.

He said: "I asked if we could change the name of the pub back to the Nag's Head as part of a refurbishment. I was delighted when they said 'no problem'."

The pub will be closed for two weeks from September 17 when a £100,000 refurbishment programme begins.

Mr Thornton said: "It makes sense to call the pub the Nag's Head. That's what it was called for years and it's situated on Nag's Island, which has been here since the 12th century. I'm a traditionalist, but didn't realise there had been such strong feeling about the name change until I read a cutting in the Oxford Mail about it."

Chairman of the Abingdon Area Archaeological and Historical Society, Gill Jacobi, said: "It's great news that the pub is changing back to its original name.

"I am delighted. It is on Nag's Island and should always have remained the Nag's Head. It's not even on the mill stream, and so should never have been called The Mill House in the first place.

"This really is excellent news."