THE new landlords at The Bell, Purton Stoke, near Cricklade, are calling for cricket-loving customers to dust off their bats and balls, and form a cricket team.

Teresa and Steven Cleverly, who took over behind the bar at the Arkell's pub last week, are keen to enter a team in the nearby Cricklade Sixes competition, in July.

"I don't play cricket myself but I'm willing to have a go," said Steven, who also works at Edmont, in Swindon, as a delivery driver.

"We don't want to have a crack team, we just want to have a bit of a laugh," said Teresa. "And I'm willing to make a good cricket tea."

It's all part of Teresa and Steven's plan to revive The Bell as the centre of village life.

They also want darts teams, quiz teams and anything that keeps their customers entertained.

"This is the first time we've run a pub and we're looking forward to it," said Teresa.

"I love the social side of pub life and The Bell is the sort of village pub that is becoming all too rare.

"We're not doing cordon bleu catering or offering cheap booze just good beer and the sort of bar where you feel comfortable."

James Arkell, the managing director of Arkell's Brewery, said: "Rural pubs are precious and unpretentious village pubs are increasingly hard to find.

"Purton Stoke is a lovely village with lots going on and where the pub has always been the hub."