A CAMPAIGN to save a village pub is winning strong support from local people, who fear the heart is being torn out of their community.

Ben Rhydding residents suspect that time is being called on the Wheatley Hotel, which has been closed since June of last year.

And they are queueing up to sign a petition to get the pub reopened - amid concern that the site is to be sold for housing development.

The Wheatley's owner, Punch Taverns, has given assurances that it will be back in business soon, but locals claim plans are afoot to build 40 apartments on the site.

The pub's fate is a major talking point in the village, according to sub-postmaster Garry Wilkinson.

"Most people who come into the post office have something to say about it," said 40-year-old Mr Wilkinson. "I would like to see it open again because it was a popular meeting place, which is what we need.

"It's important to have local shops and other facilities for the public."

This need for local amenities was also stressed by housewife Elaine King, of Ben Rhydding Drive. She said: "Something like this does affect the community. It's the same everywhere - local shops and facilities are closing down and more supermarkets are being opened.

"This is a small community and people will miss the pub. If you look around you can see one or two shops are closing down and the corner shop is boarded up.

"The pub is at the heart of the community. I didn't really go there, but we used it for our daughter's 21st birthday last year."

David Gilbey, 64, of High Wood, stressed: "It's a great shame. I used to go regularly to the Wheatley with a little investments group. Once it closed down we had to find somewhere else to meet.

"It would be very sad if it didn't reopen. The shops around here are having a tough enough time anyway. I think it's important for the local community that the Wheatley maintains its existence."

Annette Graham, 58, of Wheatley Road, said the pub's closure had come as a shock to everybody.

"We were absolutely devastated because we used to go in there quite often," she said. "It has been a great community pub and it was always very welcoming. We know that many people who were regulars have really missed it."

Retired judge Philip Hebbert, 75, of Manley Road, said: "I think it is a great shame because it is no longer available for local people. It is the nearest pub for a good catchment area and it was very popular."

His views were shared by Mrs Dorothy McGivering, 74, of Undercliffe Rise, who said the pub had been a focal point for celebrations, such as birthdays and anniversaries.

She said: "We used to go there for lunch, but there is nowhere else around here. It is sorely missed. I think it is a great shame it has shut - I certainly don't want any more housing here."

Plasterer Gary Holden, 35, of Craigmore Drive, stressed that the pub had been very popular.

"I used to go there quite a lot and I know quite a few people who used to use it," he said. "I would like to see it re-opened and I would certainly support a campaign to do that. It would be a great shame if it was used for housing."

Hilary Ramsden, who is in her sixties, said that even though she had not used the pub herself she would still like to see it re-opened.

She said: "It does seem sad that its is closed, because it is the heart of the community. There are very few places like that, where elderly people and younger people are able to mix well together."

Jane Abrahm argued: I think we are losing an awful lot of local amenities. Shops are closing and there is already nowhere to buy a newspaper. The place is going to die."

However, the issue had failed to touch Ann Saunders, a 38-year-old housewife of Manor Rise.

She admitted: "To be honest, I have never used it and it doesn't really bother me. Perhaps the people who did use it, and who live closer to it, would feel more strongly about it.