THIRSTY Oxford United fans gearing up for the season ahead are in for a thoroughly welcome surprise: there's a new bar in town.

Littlemore locals frequenting The George pub – one of the closest hostelries to the Kassam Stadium – have set up the Yellows Bar specially for fellow football fanatics.

The new bar outside the venue in Sandford Road has been decked out in blue and yellow and will welcome its first customers at the Leicester City game on Tuesday.

Landlord Nigel Woodley said he and eight regulars had worked together on the idea. He said: "So chuffed to bits it's unbelievable."

He said: "It's nice that the locals have built something in their own time, and named it the Yellows Bar.

"We have painters, builders and carpenters who have all given their input and created this area, which I am very proud of."

The project follows a series of Oxford United triumphs last season that culminated in the U's being promoted to League One for the first time in 15 years.

Mr Woodley said the pub had increased its staff from four to nine just to keep up with demand and pub company Merlin Inns had invested £6,000 in the new outdoor bar.

He said: "Our license allows us to sell alcohol on a table, but I wanted to make it more than that. It's not just a can out of a bucket; it's a proper bar.

"It's a place where you can go with children and sit down and have a drink and a social afternoon – then go to a game."

Yellows fans have not had a watering hole to call their own since the Grade II* listed Priory pub off Grenoble Road closed down in 2013.

Earlier this year Jeremy Faulkner, chairman of supporters' trust OxVox, said the "feeling of goodwill" after the promotion made this the perfect time to reopen it.

Mr Woodley stressed that the Yellows Bar was "not trying to be the Priory" but was a family venue for regulars and those just passing through.

* The pre-season friendly against Leicester City kicks off at 7.45pm on Tuesday with the new Yellows Bar open from 6.30pm. For more information call 01865 779341.