THE landlord and locals of a threatened Accrington pub have accused a brewery of wanting to destroy their community after hearing of plans to sell it off.

Landlord Fred Pilling recently received a letter from Thwaites saying that the 'For Sale' signs would be going up in four weeks at the Hyndburn pub in Blackburn Road and they could not guarantee that it would not be sold to a private developer.

One of Fred's regulars Andrew Newton said: "We'll chain ourselves to the pumps before we let them sell it"

The Thwaites-managed pub, is the only pub left in the neighbuourhoodand regulars fear they will be left with no local. The nearest is the Railway, in Blackburn Road, in the town centre.

They have already been told that Sacred Heart Church, across the road, is to be pulled down and they fear that with the loss of the Hyndburn their community is being destroyed around them.

Mr Newton, of Monk Street, said: "We're not going to let big business push us around. This is our local and has been for many years.

"It has a good mix of people, young and old, and is more of a community meeting place than a pub, some have been going for 40 years.

"It gives the older people somewhere to go and meet one another.

"We've arranged a meeting with a representative of our MP Greg Pope on Saturday and we're going to take this further.

Mr Pilling, 53, has run the pub with his business partner Thomas Buckley, 33, for two years. He said he was very worried about what was going to happen.

"The estate agents came round and took some pictures after I was told it was going to be sold on Monday.

"Thwaites said they would try to sell it to a pub company with me still behind the bar, but they didn't rule out that it could be sold to a developer and turned into houses.

"I am quite worried. I am looking for another pub. If I I could afford this one I would buy it, but I can't. We've already been told they are pulling down the church over the road and if this goes there'll be nothing left for the local community. The Railway is too far for the older customers."

County Coun Doreen Pollitt, who will be attending Saturday's meeting on Greg Pope's behalf, said: "The pub is used by the local community and they could have meetings there. "If it is sold off and it is taken away it is lost for ever."

Deputy leader of Hyndburn Council Jean Battle said: "If Thwaites are selling the pub because it is not making enough profit, you can understand that.

"But they have to bear in mind that this is an important community pub."

Chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale Phil Drew said: "I would call on Thwaites to keep it open."

A spokesman for Thwaites said: "We take a regular review of our estate and have decided to put this pub up for sale. We would always prefer to sell properties as licensed premises."