A historic Oxfordshire pub is under new ownership and it is a real family affair. Andrew and Suzy Ireson have moved into the White Horse at Woolstone near Faringdon, and with three children and another on the way, are threatening to fill the pub's six bedrooms themselves!

Mr Ireson, 41, said: "It is a challenge, taking over such a well-known pub, especially with our family about to expand but really good pubs are hard to come by and we have been looking for a place like this for two years.

"We knew that if we didn't snap it up when Arkell's offered it to us, it was unlikely we would have a similar chance again."

The pub, named after the famous White Horse hill nearby, dates back to the 16th century and was bought by Swindon-based Arkell's last year.

According to local history, in the mid 19th century author Thomas Hughes, who lived in nearby Uffington, wrote some of his famous book Tom Brown's Schooldays at the pub.

The Ireson family moved from Yorkshire, where Mr Ireson was previously running a large restaurant and have brought chef Rob Cooper with them.

Mr Ireson added: "I was working very long restaurant hours, now I am around all the time, the kids love it and we have been welcomed by the locals.

"Moving back into the pub trade feels like I have come home again."

Arkell's director, James Arkell said: "When we said to the Iresons that The White Horse is a family pub they took us literally!

"But the best sort of country pub has a family running it and we hope they will be very happy there."