Villagers in Good Easter are campaigning to save their only pub from being changed into private accommodation.

The Star pub was closed to the public last June, and the current licensee has since applied for planning permission to convert it into a private dwelling.

More than 350 residents of Good Easter have expressed their anger at the proposal by signing a petition which launched the campaign SOS - Save Our Star.

"Our pub always used to be the central meeting place for the villagers," said resident, Alan Hall.

"If we lose it altogether it will mean losing a part of Good Easter's heritage and a vital aspect of community life.

"We have already lost our shop and post office so this would really be the final blow."

Licensee, David Jones said that he made the decision to close the Star due to a lack of business. "The decision was taken with regret, but it is unfortunately no longer economically viable to run the pub," he said. "It has been consistently losing money for the last 10 years.

"It has been on the market since last September without any takers whatsoever. If just 10 per cent of the people who signed that petition had bothered to support the pub when it was open and spend money there, it would never had closed down."

The application now lies in the hands of Chelmsford Borough Council.

Determined villagers campaigning outside the Star.

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