A village pub described as the “hub of the community” has closed after a brewery offered it for sale to developers.

The Dog and Partridge, which has been part of Charnock Richard life for more than 150 years, served its final pint last Thursday, leaving eight people without a job.

The pub lies directly next to a site being developed for housing by Arley Homes, who are in talks to buy the building and surrounding land.

Licensee Heidi Westland, 24, was given three days to leave the premises by the owners Scottish and Newcastle.

She said: “It’s devastating for us for us because we’ve really tried to make a go of it over the last two years.

“Packing up and leaving has been heartbreaking.

“We’ve been operating on a short term lease but were given encouragement that the pub would remain open and that we would work with the new owners.

“We were told last Tuesday to hand the keys over as they wanted vacant possession of the pub.

“Most of the regulars came in on Thursday night to say goodbye and say what a loss to the village it would be.”

The pub was the subject of a successful campaign to save it last year, but that proved to be temporary victory.

Neighbour Ken Coles, of nearby Freeman’s Lane said: “The loss of the pub is a big blow to the village.

“It was one of the only features and it’s very sad to lose it.”

A spokesman for Arley Homes said: “The closure of the Dog and Partridge pub is a matter of discussion between the tenant and the brewery which currently owns the pub and the land.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle gave his backing the pub.

He said: “It’s the heart of the village and it seems the developers are ripping that out in pursuit of their own gain.

“I would urge both Arley Homes and Scottish and Newcastle to reconsider and put the community before profit.”

A spokesman for Arley Homes, said: “Following its decision to close the pub, Arley Homes has been approached by the brewery regarding the purchase of the land.

“As it sits directly next to one of our developments, we felt a sensible decision was to put in an offer to prevent the land being purchased by a third party. If that transaction were to be completed we would have to consider the options available to us, but have no firm plans for the site at present.”

A spokesman for the S&N Pub Company, said: “We can confirm we are in negotiations with Arley Homes re the sale of the Dog and Partridge.

“The premises was being operated up until today on a temporary 20 week lease basis and the lesees were fully aware they would vacate the property when they signed the agreement last year.”