THIS is the moment that one of Ascot's most popular pubs was re-opened after a £10m redevelopment. 

Hundreds of local residents went to the opening of The Royal Foresters, and watched as the traditional ribbon-cutting was swapped for a tree stump cutting. 

The Royal Foresters’ General Manager, Malcolm Coulter, said: “We consider it a huge privilege for us to have our reopening honoured by this team of professional and genuine Royal Foresters from The Crown Estate Forestry team. The commemorative plaque will always be here to remind us of our close links to our pub’s heritage.”

The development cost £10m, and took more than a year to complete. 

The Foresters features a 24-room hotel and an 80 seat flexible function space.

Peter Borg-Neal, CEO of Oakman Inns, said: “The delays caused by the extremes in weather throughout the build have been very frustrating for everyone concerned and I would like to thank all our neighbours and friends who have had to put up with the building works over the last few months.

"I’m very proud of our brilliant 100 strong-team lead by Malcolm Coulter who have worked so hard to be ready to welcome our first guests on Friday. This has been Oakman Inns’ largest investment to date and it’s been very encouraging to hear so many positive comments from the local community who have waited to get their pub back.”