Residents have launched a campaign to save the only pub in their village which they fear could be sold to become a Tesco convenience store.

‘Save The Anchor Inn at Wimblington’ has been launched on Facebook to raise awareness and try to halt the possible sale. It has 290 members but is growing rapidly.

Maureen Davis, chairman of Wimblington Parish Council, said that Marston’s, who own the pub, “are keeping their options open on how they move forward.”

She had been in touch with area manager Simon Beal who confirmed that there are “a couple of interested parties.

“Unfortunately, for the village, one of the interested parties is a convenience store but he says by no means are they close to any decision but they are a business and have to look at all the options.”

Commenting on the news, Jenifer Elaine Fuller said on social media: “If it goes ahead the local shop will close for sure.

“We don’t need another shop.”

Another user, Paul Cole, added: “So that will be a Tesco One Stop then. After what they did in Chatteris they should be banned from the area.

“Let them build up their shop. We all boycott it and they lose even more money.”

Lesley Holland also posted, saying that the pub will always hold good memories for her and that for it to close would be “such a waste.”

However, some members pointed out that if more people who joined the group were to use the pub once again, the situation might be different.

Another member, who had spoken to someone from the planning committee about what residents can do, said registering it as a community asset may help protect the pub.

Simon Stiff also offered a number of ways members could build on their campaign.

He suggested assessing the levels of support within the community through meetings, questionnaires or knocking on doors, forming a committee to drive the campaign and to establish a vision for the pub.

First meeting of the campaign group was held last night others are planned.