A LAST-DITCH attempt is being staged to save a village's only remaining pub.

The Royal Hunt Pub in North Ascot is permanently closed and plans were put forward to demolish the site and erect nine flats.

However, Winkfield Parish Council recommended refusal of the development following a passionate debate at Carnation Hall, with the strength of feeling in the area demonstrated by over 200 objections to the planning application.

Now, residents are hoping that someone will come forward to save the famous old pub which is the last one standing following the closure of Cranbourne Towers, Gold Cup, Fleur de Lys and White Horse over the last few years.

Anthony Springall, secretary of Berkshire South East CAMRA, said: " This is not an empty gesture as there are parties in the background who have expressed interest in running the property as a pub, but as always a lot hinges on the price the developer would be willing to accept for the property."

"Communities need a hub and the pub provided this. A well run pub in the locality would be an enormous benefit to the wider community.

In 2014, Hawthorn Leisure purchased the Royal Hunt as part of a package of properties, paying an average price of £190,000.

A year later, the tenant of the pub offered to buy the property, but Hawthorn Leisure decided to close the pub down, with the intention of opening the flats.

Earlier this year, the Royal Hunt was sold on to Patrick Ruddy Homes for over £800,000, a massive inflation on what Hawthorn Leisure had paid.

Just months later, Patrick Ruddy submitted their planning application for the flats, and in July 2017, Bracknell Forest Borough Planning received 227 online objections to this planning application.