The last remaining pub in an East Lancashire village has been put up for sale.

The Trawden Arms was put on the market last year, with the possibility it could be sold and developed into housing.

Determined not to let their last remaining pub disappear though, residents of Trawden have now come together to set up a steering group with a vision of bringing the pub into community ownership.

In March last year The Trawden Arms was listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and residents now have until the end of May to raise enough money to buy the pub and keep it in community hands.

Communications officer for the steering group and local resident, Molly Ralphson, said: "Having the village pub is really important to so many people.

"The importance of social contact was brought home to us throughout lockdown and it would be such a shame to lose the pub and lose a place to socialise, to eat and drink, and to celebrate special occasions with friends and family."

Ms Ralphson said a Community Benefit Society (CBS) has been formed which will effectively see the residents holding shares in the pub.

She added: "There is a full prospectus and business plan available on the pub's website and the scheme is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority."

The steering group also has the support of the Plunkett Foundation, a registered charity aimed at saving pubs, but it’s now over to the residents to buy their share and keep it operational.

If the community are successful in raising enough funds throughout May, and the purchase goes through, Trawden will be the only village in the UK with a community-run pub, shop, community centre and library.

Ms Ralphson continued: "Residents should be rightly proud of this achievement. If the venture is successful, a tenant will be appointed to manage the business in-line with shareholders ideas and values."

Chair of the steering group, Dave Webber, said: "We want to keep the Trawden Arms as a pub for the community to enjoy for the long-term, but also to give residents a say in what they want from the pub.

"We want to build on the enormous success of the community centre, library and shop by making the Trawden Arms part of a new community hub, one that has the potential to deliver even more benefits to residents.

"We are urging anyone who can to buy a share now and save our pub.”

For a copy of the share prospectus, business plan and more information visit trawdenarmsmorethanapub.com.

Also find details on Facebook: facebook.com/Trawdenarmsmorethanapub or You Tube: youtube.com/watch?v=fUv_v5Vkcq4

There is a risk that the Trawden Arms could be sold and converted

into residential housing which would obviously mean we as residents

of Trawden would lose our last remaining pub.

This project aims to bring the pub in community ownership thus not only safeguarding its long-term future but also giving residents a say in what

they want from this important asset.