A COUNTRY pub gutted by a fire earlier this week will be open for business.

While flames swept through the main part of the thatched 17th century Langton Arms at Tarrant Monkton near Blandford on Tuesday, the fire did not spread to the kitchens, restaurant and function rooms annexe at the rear.

Manager Rachel Hiscock said the restaurant would now operate as a traditional public bar except when there were private functions and said all existing bookings would be honoured.

"Other than that it will be back to business as normal," she said.

Owners James and Barbara Cossins have vowed to rebuild the popular pub which lost its thatched roof and upper floors in the blaze.

More than 80 firefighters from as far afield as Fordingbridge and Wareham were called in to tackle the blaze which broke out in the thatch and quickly spread through the upper floor of the building.

Firefighters and villagers managed to salvage furniture and other items from the ground floor but the main bar area suffered extensive damage and is unlikely to re-open for several months.