VILLAGERS are celebrating a breakthrough in their campaign to buy a New Forest pub and save it from closure.

The landlord of the Wheel Inn at Pennington has agreed to stay on for another month, giving locals more time to finalise their plans and raise the cash.

The pub was due to close at the end of July but Pete Walters, 66, will now remain until the end of August.

His decision has delighted members of the newly-formed Wheel Inn (Pennington) Community Group, which wants to acquire the premises.

The group have asked New Forest District Council to designate the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) as part of their campaign to save the facility.

Owners of an ACV are required to give the local community first refusal if they decide to sell the property.

The move will enable accountant Peter Simpson and other members of the community group to continue working on a business plan for the premises.

"It’s increased the pub’s chances of survival by keeping the doors open," Mr Simpson said.

“The property itself needs serious care and attention and a large sum of money will be needed for this as well as the purchase price.

“In its current state of repair the property is unlikely to be worth more than £150,000-£200,000."

Villagers decided to join forces amid fears that owners Terramek Ltd intended to close the popular watering hole after failing to find a buyer.

A Terramek spokesman was unavailable for comment.