A famous face is set to return to Abingdon after the landlord of the Broad Face pub, in Bridge Street, tracked down its old sign.

Dushan Salwathura acquired the sign from a former barman who found it in his garage. Its whereabouts had been unknown for nine years.

The sign is thought to have been painted in the middle of the last century.

Mr Salwathura, who has run the Greene King pub for 18 months, said: “It’s part of the pub’s character and heritage.

“It’s an iconic sign and it’s a traditional sign. It’s important to the pub and to the town.”

Customer Steve King said: “It’s great to see an old part of Abingdon reinstated.”

The sign will be unveiled at the pub on Friday.