31 December 2012 Last updated at 07:28 ET

Crook Inn campaign hits funding target

Campaigners have spent years trying to save the Crook Inn building

The building housing what was one of Scotland's oldest pubs could be saved, after local residents raised enough money to buy the property.

The Crook Inn at Tweedsmuir, which dates back to the 17th century, was closed almost six years ago.

A community campaign to raise £160,000 to save the hostelry site hit its target, hours ahead of a deadline set at the end of 2012.

The Borders community now wants to raise another £1m to renovate the inn.

The Crook Inn - first licensed in 1604 - shut in 2006 and plans were lodged to turn it into accommodation.

The proposals, put forward by its owner, were rejected by Scottish Borders Council and that decision was upheld by the Scottish government after a public hearing.

Local residents have campaigned for years to reopen the property as a gathering place, and a deal was struck for a community buyout of the premises.