Hands off our pub - that was the message from residents battling to save their local.

About 80 angry residents packed into Seacourt Hall, Botley, last night to try to save their neighbourhood watering hole, the Fair Rosamund, from closure.

Botley Parish Council asked residents to urgently write letters to the Vale of White Horse District Council expressing their concerns in an effort to block the plans to knock down the pub in Chestnut Road, on the Elms Rise estate, to make way for 14 two-bedroom flats.

North Hinksey parish councillor John Kemp said it was unfortunate that Marstons had not sent a representative and others called for the brewers to be made to attend the next meeting.

Mr Kemp said: "The pub has been going for more than 30 years. It seems strange that previous brewers/owners have been able to manage it in such a way that they can sell it on.

The 41-year-old pub is owned by brewers Marston's and is the only pub on the estate. A letter from the brewers said

Marston's did not send a representative to the meeting but sent a letter on their behalf The letter said when Marstons acquired the pub five years ago it was in a "sorry state" and was refurbished and an experienced management team put in place.

But it said despite attempts by the current managers, Ron and Chris Evans, and the brewery, there had been little increase in trade and the pub is uneconomic to continue.

The letter added that the current managers admitted there is an acknowledgement on the estate the pub has not been supported as well as it might have been.

It added: "To some extent, locals have only themselves to blame now that Marston's five-year attempt to make the pub viable has failed."

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