Inspector Morse's favourite pub - The Trout in Godstow - is soon to become a minimalist gourmet restaurant, fear local drinkers.

The riverside pub, regularly featured in the hugely successful television series starring the late John Thaw, is to close early in the New Year for major refurbishment.

But regulars say owners Mitchells & Butler's have plans for the Trout that would have had Morse choking on his pint of real ale.

Mitchells & Butlers confirmed that a new look was being planned for the picturesque pub, which it said had become "a victim of its own success".

Designers are being asked to create an individual gastro pub.

Shocked regulars, however, say the character of the county's world famous watering hole is in danger of being swept away.

Hugh Dawson, of Wytham, who has been a customer at the pub for 40 years, said: "It won't be the Trout as we know it any more.

"We understand the flagstones will be covered in floor boards, with spot lights everywhere and white and blue walls.

"It all sounds very minimalist, clean and cold. There is even talk of a dress code being introduced. We hear it will be part of M&B's new Project S range of gourmet pubs."

Mr Dawson, 60, a retired cemetery manager, added: "It's so dreadful, because people care about this pub. You can travel anywhere in the world and you will find someone who will tell you that they've drunk in the Trout."

Mitchells and Butler spokesman, Jenny Grant, said the brewery was preparing to spend heavily in the pub, which has been a flagship in M&B's Vintage Inn chain.

"The pub is doing so well that it deserves to have money spent on it. It's a beautiful pub and our plans are to make it better. Any changes will be done sympathetically, given its history and how people feel about it. But it is early days in terms of design."

She said one of the priorities would be to remove 'pinch points' which resulted in long queues forming for food and at the bar. The pub is likely to be shut for about eight weeks.

The creator of Inspector Morse, Colin Dexter, said: "I would be very sad if the old place were to change.

"I admire the flagstones in the pub more than anything. But I think at the moment the Trout is already more of an eating, rather than a drinking, place."

Pub manager Bob Maher said he would be leaving once the refit got under way, to take over a pub in Chelmsford.

He said: "We've just had a fantastic year. The business has continued to grow year on year. This year has been the most successful in my time here."

He added that parts of the building were listed and talks had been held with Oxford City Council's conservation officer about proposed changes.

This year, The Trout featured in the Inspector Morse spin-off series Lewis, in which actor Kevin Whateley reprised his role as Insp Robbie Lewis.