MALVERN pub landlord Duncan Ironmonger has offered to buy Upper Welland's Hawthorn Inn and save it from closure.

Mr Ironmonger, who owns the Nag's Head in Malvern and The Chase in Upper Colwall, told villagers he would make an offer for The Hawthorn at a public meeting on Wednesday.

"I am interested in purchasing the pub and I came along to see the strength of feeling in the village," he said. "I have had a valuation done and am ready to move forward and make an approach in the next week."

More than 130 people registered their support to save the pub, which closed in August, at the meeting in the Methodist chapel.

They believe current owner, James Stuart, is breaking planning laws by using the building's public rooms for living purposes.

District council plans state that any change of use application resulting in the loss of community facilities should not be approved.

Mr Stuart declined to attend the meeting, but sent a letter that was read to gathered villagers.

"Not only was this a business, but it has been our home for over 14 years and will continue to be so," he said. "You are behaving as though the pub was a public amenity which the locals are entitled to, but it was a business that was haemorrhaging at a disturbing rate and it had to close".

CAMRA representative Mark Haslam said whilst it was unreasonable to expect the Stuarts to run a non-viable business, they should not preclude others from making a go of it.

"They must appreciate that they have a moral responsibility to the community the pub serves," he said. "CAMRA now hopes they will make an immediate effort to sell the Hawthorn Inn as a business, ie as a pub".

Mr Ironmonger is hopeful an agreement can be reached.

"I believe the price we are prepared to pay would keep the existing owners happy," he said.

"This village will be better served by a good public house and I have plans for a pub that welcomes everybody".