'GUTTED' regulars are hoping to save their community pub after it was ordered to shut down.

The Penketh Tavern, which has the grave of a soldier in its grounds, faces closure after owners Warrington Housing Association called time on the landlord's lease.

Maureen Stephens, who has worked there for 30 years, was told she must close the doors for good on September 7.

She said: "Lots of people will be affected, everyone is really upset.

"Everybody's absolutely gutted. We knew it was going to close but we thought we had three more years.

"The original plan was to put retirement apartments here but nobody knows what's going to happen now. The place could be derelict and we don't want it standing empty.

"We get older people coming in socially, it's like a second home for them. There would be no where for them to go if we closed."

The pub is home to a snooker, bowling and darts team as well as one of the longest running chess clubs in the town.

Charities including the Stroke Association and St Rocco's also use the pub for functions free of charge and since Maureen was given the notice to close, organisers have been forced to cancel advanced bookings for fundraising events.

She added: "The British Legion use it too and there's a grave out the front with a soldier's ashes but they said it doesn't matter."

Neighbour Wendi Ryan has set up a petition to save the pub and said: "I find it's the only place range with an age range from 18 to 90-year-olds, people from different generations can be there at the same time, it's great.

"There are some people who come in every night and they might not see anybody else all day, it's really sad for them."

Warrington Housing Association chief executive David Cummins said: “The Association purchased the Penketh Tavern in 2013. 

"In 2016 Mrs Stephens was given a short term lease and has always been fully aware that this would come to an end at some point.

"As we now start to consider our options and as a consequence of the potential short terms costs of keeping the building open, we have taken the decision to give notice to end the lease in September.”

In relation to the soldier's grave a spokesman said that as the company looks at plans for the pub it will 'remain sensitive to the history of the location'.

No planning applications have been submitted for the site.

Visit change.org/p/warrington-housing-association-save-the-penketh-tavern to view the petition.