VILLAGERS who thought their telephone box pub might be the smallest in the world have had their hopes dashed by officials.

Members of Save The Plough in Shepreth opened up The Dog and Bone in a telephone box to convince South Cambs District Council it should not allow their village pub, The Plough, to be redeveloped into a five-bedroom house.

But a Guinness Book of World Records spokesman said: “The Dog and Bone would not qualify as the world’s smallest pub, as it was only open for one night.

“In order to qualify for the smallest pub title, the pub must be fully licensed to sell alcohol and be a permanent commercial building.”

Alistair Janson, who ran The Dog and Bone, said: “It was a bit of fun. We weren’t really aiming to be the world’s smallest pub, but to raise awareness for the campaign.

“We had about 70 customers who drank the bar dry by 10.30pm which proves how strong the support is for The Plough to stay as a pub.”

The smallest permanent licensed bar in the world is called the Smallest Whisky Bar on Earth, in Switzerland, and has a total floor area of 8.53 m2.

The district council is expected to decide whether to allow MPM Property (Royston)’s plans to develop the pub later this year.