A POPULAR village pub will be boarded up this weekend, despite a campaign by regulars to save their local.

Last orders will be called at The Carpenters Arms, in North Green, Coates, near Whittlesey, after leaseholders Winlease Limited went into administration in February.

Regulars had pledged their support to Landlord Malcolm Carter, who has been given notice to leave the pub by Monday, when receivers acting on behalf of Lloyds TSB will move in to board up the building.

A petition to save the Cambridgeshire pub was launched and a Facebook campaign attracted more than 200 supporters.

An appeal on the pub’s website reads: “This much loved pub is not closing due to a lack of trade. If you can think of anyway you can help Malcolm keep the ‘top house’ open, then please, please talk to Malcolm today.

“Please give your support in whatever way you can, without it a great local asset may close forever.”

Mr Carter will have no time to raise a mortgage and buy the pub himself.

The closure means the village will be left with one pub, The Vine, with the next nearest around a mile away in Eastrea.