Concerns have been raised by a local group regarding the impending auction of a closed Herefordshire pub.

Herefordshire's Campaign for Real Ale group (CAMRA) has said that "anxiety has been created" by the sales description of the Newtown Inn, near Ledbury as a previous pub and “redevelopment opportunity”.

"Locals who once used the pub have stated that they will vehemently oppose any attempt to convert the Newtown Inn into a dwelling and they have the full backing of pub campaigners," a spokesperson for the group said.

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“The auction guide describes the crossroads pub as a ‘former pub’ called ‘Newtown House’, when in fact it is called the Newtown Inn and still very much a pub," said resident and former pub goer, Steve Kirby.

Another spokesperson for the group added that with the pub also being advertised as a redevelopment opportunity, they fear that bidders looking to take on the Newtown Inn as a pub business will be "deterred and outbid by those only interested in the premises as a lucrative property development".

“The previous owners failed to get planning permission to convert it into a house on two separate occasions. Furthermore, both refusal decisions by Herefordshire Council planners were subsequently upheld at appeal," Mr Kirby added.

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“We would not wish to see someone buy the pub, without them first understanding the local opposition that still exists in resisting any change of use.”

Herefordshire CAMRA has said they are backing the locals’ position, adding that they believe if the pub were to be marketed differently, a new operator would come forward.

The retail premise was put on the market last month, and has been described as having the potential for alternative uses, "subject to planning".