A PUB rescued by members of the community has been a "huge success" since its opening, with Rishi Sunak expected to outline new £150 million plans to help local communities save struggling boozers.

The Chancellor is due to announce the budget which is thought to include a fund allowing punters to bid for up to £250,000 to save their favourite local from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is something that the community in Bevendean did long before the crisis struck, with locals raising enough money to take over The Bevy.

General manager Helen Jones said communities will need support to guide them through the complicated process.

READ MORE >> Is The Bevy in Brighton Britain's best community pub?

She said: "They need someone who can come in and guide you through the process, so they don't have to make the same mistakes we did.

"Not just understand the business side of things, but having someone to walk you through it.

"There is an immense value in having something like a community pub, because it gives people who feel quite disenfranchised a sense of belonging.

"It is about that value of things beyond having a pint.

"It has been a financial struggle however in terms of the community, we have been a huge success."

Mr Sunak is expected to outline a three-point plan to support people through the coming months, rebuild the economy and fix public finances in the wake of the pandemic.

The plans include a Community Ownership Fund is due to open for applications in the sumer and could lead to more pubs run by locals, like the Bevy.

People in Bevendean knocked on doors and raised enough funds to gut the original building and create a new pub which opened five years ago.

The Bevy is run as a not-for-profit business with more than 700 community shareholders, and has been a "huge success" to the community.

As well as food, the local offers regular activities and events to support the elderly, vulnerable and hard pressed families, including lunch clubs and a dementia cafe.

Last year, The Duchess of Cornwall held her first virtual event ahead of the second national lockdown by celebrating Meals on Wheels Week.

Camilla visited The Bevy via video call, where she learned more about the inspiring work of the community pub.

Camilla also arranged for a special gift of a Meals on Wheels week celebration cake to be delivered to pub, which was shared with the small group of Bevy Meals on Wheels customers who had the privilege of attending the event in line with the current guidelines.