BACK IN BUSINESS: Claire Kelly, Mike and Sue Pollard in front of the reopened Sailor's Return pub at East Chaldon Picture: GRAHAM HUNT/HG1893

AN inn that partially closed after being ravaged by fire has fully reopened.

The Sailor's Return, at East Chaldon, was ripped apart by a blaze that destroyed its main bar and a quarter of its thatch.

The affected area was closed for repairs, but is now open again after a lengthy refurbishment.

Tenants Mike and Sue Pollard and their daughter, head chef Claire Kelly, have paid tribute to locals for their support during the closure.

Mrs Pollard, 60, said: "I want to thank all the locals - the community were fantastic at a very difficult time for us. It's great to be fully open again. I think they were very pleased to get their main bar back."

It is thought the fire that struck the pub on July 22 this year was caused by lightning hitting the cellar roof.

Luckily firefighters restricted the flames, and only the single-storey bar area was damaged.

The rest of the two-storey pub, which dates back to 1860, was unaffected and the restaurant stayed open.

Mrs Kelly, 37, said villagers stepped in the moment the blaze was out.

She said: "Everybody mucked in, the whole community came together.

"We had someone in a tractor clearing the area, and someone else jet-washing the car park.

"Some of them didn't even use the pub, they just wanted to help. It's amazing what people can do when they band together."

Mrs Kelly said that level of support continued throughout the closure.

"We had two ladies washing all our curtains, and a local fisherman came and varnished everything," she said.

"It was all off their own back in their own time. It's the little things that made the world of difference."

Locals packed the pub at an official reopening evening to celebrate.

Mrs Kelly, who has been head chef since 1993, said: "I want to thank the locals for bearing with us. You hear about things like this, but you never think it'll happen to you. It was total shock, we didn't know what to do."

Mrs Kelly said the fire took its toll on the family's business, but they are looking forward to the future.

She added: "We're so glad to be open again at full strength - now we can bounce back. You do get a bit down, but it cheered us up no end to see the place packed again - we're so grateful for everyone's support."

10:31am Tuesday 31st October 2006

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