WORK has begun to transform and reopen a rundown pub - but some are 'up in arms' about changing its traditional name.

The Somerset in Marston is undergoing a revamp in the hands of the Dodo Pub Company who are gearing up to open it again after four years.

But the company - who also run the Rusty Bicycle in east Oxford and Rickety Press in Jericho - want to change the three decades old name of the pub to the Up in Arms, as a tribute to the community's long-running campaign to save it.

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But independent councillor for the area Mick Haines, who started the petition to rescue the pub, said he wanted The Somerset to stay The Somerset.

He said: "I am very pleased we are going to get the pub back but I have heard from a lot of people that they want to keep its old name.

"It has always been the Somerset - everyone knows it as that.

"When you get off the bus, you know to get off at the Somerset.

"It is a good traditional name."

Mr Haines said he was happy with all the other plans for the building and was 'over the moon' it would be re-opened.

But he has called on the new managers to reconsider the name change.

Workers were seen on the site this week as the renovation gets under way.

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The pubs interior is set to be changed to a look similar to the chain's other sites.

A statement from Dodo said: "The Dodo Pub Co. was drawn to the local residents’ passion for resurrecting their pub and understands just how much it means to this community.

"This is why they wanted create a name that the community could have ownership over.

"Dodo pubs also have a reputation for reinventing pubs that have seen better days and always choose to start fresh with a new identity.

"Also, they love a pun… and what could be better than going down 'The Up’."