VILLAGERS at St John, near Torpoint, say they are determined to prevent their only pub from being turned into a home.

The picturesque St John Inn closed two months ago and the owner, businessman Peter Stroud from Danbury in Essex, has submitted a pre-application planning advice request to Cornwall Council with a view to seeking change of use to a single residential unit.

In a letter accompanying the application project, architect Patrick Stroud says Peter Stroud has owned the pub for several years and has done his best to 'retain it as such'.

'However, due to continued and sustained financial difficulties over the past few years (for which records have been kept), it has become economically unviable to trade, hence the current situation.'

But local residents say the St John Inn was at the heart of their community and they believe it still has a future as a pub if the right owner is found.

A Facebook campaign group, Save the St John Inn, has been set up, while objections are also going up on Cornwall Council's planning website. One objector appealed to Cornwall Council: 'Please do not allow our village pub to be closed down forever. The village is not in need of further housing, which could become a holiday home, but it certainly needs its pub, where we can all meet, which will enhance community life.'