Villagers in Guilden Morden are rallying together to try and save a once popular pub from being turned into housing.

A planning application put forward by Florin Interiors to turn The Three Tuns pub in the High Street into a single independent dwelling house is yet to be decided.

But many people in the area aren’t happy with the proposal to get rid of their favourite watering hole permanently.

Ken Lock, who lives opposite the pub, said: “The Three Tuns contributed hugely to the social fabric of this village and we are all the poorer as a result of its prolonged closure.”

The building is Grade II-listed and dates back to the 18th century. The pub was formally owned by Greene King, but it was closed in January 2013 and the site has remained mainly derelict since.

Lesley Harrison, who also lives locally, said: “The closure of The Three Tuns has been a loss to a wide social mix of villagers seeking the traditional pub bar with an open fire and dining option.

“Guilden Morden will grow as more homes are needed, so we’re defending this village asset now and for future generations. We just want back what we had before.”