VILLAGERS could be the first in Tendring to take over their local pub in an effort to save it from permanent closure.

Residents in Great Oakley held a public meeting on Tuesday night to discuss saving the Maybush Inn, in Farm Road.

The five-bedroom pub is up for sale for £295,000, but has been closed since March 20.

There are concerns if the building in the village’s conservation area is sold, it could be changed into a home or flats, losing its identity.

Mark Godfrey, a regular at the pub, called villagers together to look into the idea of running the business as a community.

He said: “From my perspective, it should stay as a pub.

“Speaking to people in the village, we don’t want to lose it. It’s a village asset."

Villagers are set to ask Great Oakley Parish Council to put in a request for the pub to be listed with Tendring Council as an asset of community value, which offers some protection against development.

A survey will also be sent around the village to find out what support there is to save the pub and what would persuade residents to use the it more.

The next meeting about the pub will be held on April 20 at the village hall, in Harwich Road, at 7.30pm to discuss further action.