YOU do not need to climb a mountain or save a life to be a hero. When Martin Burgess takes a stroll through his village he is assailed by delighted villagers eager to shake his hand. Why? Because he has revived their pub.

The Rose and Crown at Sutton-on-the-Forest was an award-winning restaurant. Its exquisite dishes tempted gastronomes from miles around, and even won a rave review from AA Gill, restaurant critic of the Sunday Times.

But when the restaurant closed, the building looked set to be turned into housing, like so many similar places before.

That was before Mr Burgess stepped in. He has restored its former role as a local for the locals, and they could not be happier.

This story is part of an encouraging trend which sees residents taking charge of their neighbourhood facilities. Stillington villagers, for example, are clubbing together to buy their post office.

It proves that a community working together can defy market trends.

Updated: 11:43 Monday, June 09, 2003