IT looks like last orders for a Preston landlord whose city centre pub could be demolished to make way for shops as part of the Tithebarn Regeneration initiative.

Richard Worrell, 69, may be calling 'time' on his regulars after 20 years of pulling pints at The Tithebarn pub, Lord Street.

The pub looks set to go with plans to develop the area to the tune of £132 million.

A masterplan, approved by Preston City Council, shows a shopping area with bars and a fitness studio pencilled in where the pub has stood since the 19th century.

Developers Grosvenor are behind the project and aim to attract investment into the city.

However the future for Richard and his regulars looks uncertain and the landlord doesn't know what will happen.

He said: "I'm completely in the dark. This has been my job for a long time and I've seen many changes in Preston, with the developments to the bus station and the opening of the Guildhall centre, but none as big as this.

"My daughter works here now as well and I have to think about my family. This is our home.

"It's a real local pub and the regulars would certainly miss it. I can only hope that if they do pull this place down they offer us some compensation."

Richard has just signed a two-year lease with Avebury Taverns, which manages the building, but is unsure if he'll be there to see it out.

Assistant director of city projects at the council, Mike Brogan, said that a development agreement needs to be signed before the future of the pub is finalised. He is hoping that will happen before the end of this year.

A council spokesman said: "We will be looking to compensate the owners of the building, which in this case would be the brewery and they in turn should compensate the landlord."