RESIDENTS in Watchfield nearHighbridge, have a fight on their hands to save their local pub.

The owners Enterprise Inns closed The Watchfield Inn earlier this year but an action group has been formed to prevent the hostelry from being redeveloped.

Following a public meeting organised by the parish council in Burnham Without residents have expressed a wish to see it remain as a pub rather than see it close. The Parish Council successfully applied for an Assets of Community Value (ACV) from Sedgemoor District Council in order to give a stay of execution on the property.

An ACV grants communities six months to put together a bid to buy a listed community asset and gives them a fighting chance to save a building deemed of community value. However the legislation does not give a right to buy the property in question - but it does give potential bidders the time to put a proposal together.

The pub was originally pub on the market in the spring with an annual rent of £18,000 and a turnover advertised of £235,000 a year. The parish council quickly became involved with the campaign to save the pub saying they wanted to give interested parties a chance to review the situation.

Led by chairman Alistair Gordon who galvanised opinion and helped organised the public meeting resulting in the ACV. Now the future of the pub lies in the balance.

Do you have memories of the Watchfield Inn? Should it close? Email your views to harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk