Pictured: Swan with Two Necks manager Anne Staunton celebrates the pub's re-opening

One of Staffordshire's most iconic country pubs - the award-winning Swan with Two Necks in Longdon - has re-opened in complete silence.

The Swan, which closed its doors 50 days ago in a dispute with owners Punch Taverns  re-opened at 11am on November 11 and began with two minutes silence for Remembrance, before thanking regulars for their support with free beer.

The pub - a popular tourist destination in the heart of Longdon village - first opened as an inn in 1755, and had not closed since. The pub put the closed signs up following a dispute over the terms of the lease.

But now the pub has been taken over by local businessman Neil Morten and it has opened its doors again with popular former licensee Anne Staunton back behind the bar as front-of-house manager. To celebrate the re-opening ladies were given free wine, and men who turned up with wood for the pub's traditional open fires were rewarded with free beer. The re-openeing was followed by a karaoke night for regulars.

Villagers, backed by CAMRA, launched a campaign to save the popular pub, and Neil Morten says he wants the pub to be at the heart of the local community.

"I'm absolutely delighted that we have been able to re-open the Swan and I intend to make sure it gets back to what pubs should be - the heart of the community. We are opening all day, every day and as well as being a great place for food and drink we will provide morning coffee, and some great activities for the village," he said.

"We have ambitious plans to build on the Swan's strengths and try a few ideas which I'm sure people will like. The restaurant will be re-opening shortly and we will be using local produce for high quality, well-priced food," he added. 

The pub is also recruiting kitchen staff and bar staff in preparation for the re-opening and the anticipated Christmas rush.