A FACEBOOK campaign has been set up to save one of Longridge’s most historic pubs.

Mark Smith, a printer and resident in the town, said he was very disappointed when the The Dog Inn finally closed its doors in June.

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Wanting to make an impact and to raise awareness, Mr Smith set up a Facebook page to campaign for the pub to be reopened – which has managed to gain more than 800 likes in two weeks.

He said: “It’s one of many pubs that has closed over the recent years.

“It’s quite detrimental to me because I met my wife in that pub 28 years ago.

“Many others have wanted it to return as a pub again.”

“I’ve had a completely positive reaction from the community.

“I’ve had so much support and good comments on the page.

“People care about this pub.”

Originally opened in 1913, it was one of the most popular pubs in the town for years, before closing in 2009.

It reopened in 2010 as the Indian Lounge, which then closed in June.

Mr Smith said that Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans had personally wished him all the best in his campaign to get the pub re-opened.

Mr Evans said: “I am 100 per cent behind it.

“It is an iconic pub that generations of families have grown up with.

“What I want is Enterprise Inns to give assurance they are doing their very best to get new tenants in as soon as possible to get the pub back into the community.”

A spokesman from the pub’s owner Enterprise Inns said: “We are still reviewing options for The Dog Inn. As yet no decision has been made.”

According to the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) 28 pubs close each week in England.

The Old Dog Inn is one of four pubs – including The Weathers, the Duke William and the White Bull – to have closed in the area.

Mr Smith said: “It would mean everything to me to get the pub back up and running.

“It’s somewhere for me, all my mates and the community to drink again – it could be a big money maker.”

To give your support and to find out more information, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/TheDogLongridge.