The reopening of one of Oxford's most popular pubs which was wrecked by fire last year has been delayed again.

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

The roof was destroyed and the interior badly damaged and although work to rebuild the pub has progressed well since January, planned opening dates in July and this month have been put back.

Manager Johnny Mignon, 31, said he was now very hopeful the pub would reopen next month after a new bar and kitchen had been installed.

He said: "I am planning to move back in to The Perch on Friday and I have three dates in mind for mid-September - the 11th, the 18th or the 25th when I hope to reopen the pub.

"I feel a lot more positive now that I am moving back into the pub and I am looking forward to the opening day.

"We are planning to set up some river taxis running between the Head of the River and The Perch, and there will be music and a pig roast.

"All the firefighters who tackled the blaze will also be there with a big engine.

"We are slightly behind schedule in terms of fitting out the interior, but we have made some very good progress."

Bampton thatcher Andrew Bowman has replaced the thatched roof, with a firebreak beneath the straw.

Last month, Mr Mignon - who lost all his possessions in the blaze - and other villagers staged a village fete to raise money for the village church.

Thirty years ago, the pub was badly damaged in a fire caused by an electrical fault.

More than 100 firefighters worked through the night to tackle the fire at the historic pub, which is owned by Christ Church. Refurbishment then took 18 months.