RESIDENTS are banding together to save their village pub from demolition.

The Cricketers Inn, in Kingsley’s Forge Road, is on the market, with Savills listing a guide price of £325,000.

But villagers and regulars fear that, like so many hundreds of pubs, it could fall into the hands of a developer, face demolition and become houses.

The brains behind the community project, Carla Warnes, said that although the community whip round is still at a fairly early stage, there was real enthusiasm.

“The pub has been owned by Punch Taverns and has seen underinvestment and is now up for sale with the potential fate of becoming yet another suite of houses,” she explained.

“We held a public meeting to gauge interest from the community, and although it was fairly last minute we had more than 50 attendees and have had a substantial sum pledged.”

The group has been working on a business plan and forming a committee to take the project forwards. By applying for asset-of-community-value status, the pub could be protected while the group gets its ducks in a row.

A Punch Taverns’ spokesman said the inn was up for grabs and,what happened to it would be down to the buyer. “We can confirm that the freehold of The Cricketers is available on the open market,” it said.

“The property is being sold as a pub; however, the future operation will be determined by the purchaser.

“We remain in positive communication with our publicans and, while we welcome any conversations with members of the community, we are not aware of any bids being made.”

The property includes a two-storey detached building with extensions and a large garden with views over Kingsley Pond.