WORK to restore an historic Royal Wootton Bassett pub to its former glory is well under way with rumours it could re-open in February next year.

In June, Wiltshire Council granted planning permission to restore the Cross Keys in the High Street after it was gutted by fire in July 2013.

The pub became a home from home for the bereaved families of those who died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and whose bodies were repatriated through the town until September 2011.

After the fire it was shrouded in scaffolding and tarpaulins while the owner, Enterprise Inns, sought permission to restore the building, which dates back to 1742.

Now there are hopes the restoration will be completed early next year.

An Enterprise spokesman said: “We are pleased to confirm that work to restore the Cross Keys is under way and we aim to reopen this popular pub as a soon as possible in spring 2015.”

The news has been welcomed by many of the town’s residents, including town councillor Chris Wannell.

He said: “It’s fabulous and about time too. They told me that it will be finished by the last week in February or the first couple of weeks in March, they weren’t sure yet.

“It’s been an eyesore on our High Street for far too long and it’s my honest opinion that it should have been done a lot sooner.

“But it’s good news that it will be open again soon and that it will still be a pub.

“It has great importance to our town.

“It’s one of the oldest coaching inns in the town and where a lot of the families of the fallen soldiers used to go, and I think given the opportunity they might still go just to sit and reflect.

“It’s an iconic pub and an important part of the High Street and it must not be left to fall into disrepair.”

Enterprise Inns consulted English Heritage and a senior conservation officer during the application process to ensure plans to restore the Grade-II listed building met guidelines.

The application was approved with strict conditions to ensure the heritage of the building was maintained.

Conditions included that methods of fire protection, sound proofing and insulation had to be approved by the council.

Investigators with Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was started accidentally by an electrical appliance in the building.