Pub lovers fear it could take up to 18 months to fully refurbish The Perch in Binsey following a serious fire.

Last month, a blaze ripped through the thatched roof of the popular pub, severely damaging the roof and the interior.

More than 100 firefighters worked through the night to tackle the fire last month, which was blamed on a chimney flue.

Fire investigators ruled the blaze was accidental and are now liaising with insurers of the pub, which is owned by the Oxford University college Christ Church.

Charles Gee, owner of neighbouring Medley Manor Farm, said: "People who live locally are resigned to the fact it will take at least a year to rebuild The Perch.

"It's a listed building and the thatch will have to be done again so it's a big job. It's a real shame the fire happened."

Because of its location next to the River Thames, The Perch is one of Oxford's most popular pubs.

Bar manager Stephan Nakamura, 22, who helped staff retrieve their possessions following the blaze, said: "I have no idea how long it will take before The Perch can open again. Some of the staff have got new jobs and as far as I know the insurance company has not yet paid out, so nothing can start in terms of repairs until that happens."

Guy Dunkley, incident support officer at the time of the blaze, said fire investigators were continuing to liaise with insurers.

He added: "The investigation report could be completed quite soon but insurers adjusting losses and surveyors giving quotes could be a more drawn-out process.

"The fire was accidental. The integrity of the lining of the chimney flue was very poor and the fire broke through into the thatch."

The pub's manager Johnny Mignon had hoped the pub would still be able to be used as a venue for Alice's Day on July 7, but was forced to tell the organisers to seek an alternative venue and the Botanical Garden stepped in.

He was unavailable for comment.

Oliver Fursdon, rural surveyor for Savills in Oxford, which is acting as agents for Christ Church, said: "I hope it won't take as long as 18 months but it could be a lengthy process because we are talking to loss adjusters and then we have to go out to tender for the building work.

"It's a listed pub so there are all sorts of boxes that need to be ticked.

"It's certainly not an overnight job, but in six months time we should have a more accurate picture.

"It's a cracking pub and it's very sad that this fire has occurred."

It is not the first time a fire has destroyed the pub.

A similar blaze happened 30 years ago following an electrical fault - and it took 18 months to refurbish the pub.