A BID to register the New Inn in Amesbury as an asset of community value has been backed by the town council.

Amesbury Town Council decided to support the bid at a meeting on Tuesday night.

Pub supporters have already pledged about £40,000 to keep the doors open, with about £28,000 needed for a deposit.

And they are awaiting the outcome of the asset of community value application.

Owners Enterprise plan to auction the pub on September 10.

Julie Edwards, who is helping with the campaign to save the pub, said: “It is well used and well loved by the community and to lose it would be detrimental to the social wellbeing and social interest of our town.”

She added: “We can ill afford to lose any community infrastructure. It is in the heart of our town.”

The meeting heard the community building at the pub, Communi-tea Cottage, was helping to address recreational needs for the community and avoid isolation and loneliness for the increasing elderly population – providing activities including handicrafts, bridge clubs, a book club and jumble sales.

Running activities for young people at the pub is also being looked at.

Julie said: “The future for the New Inn is uncertain but I do believe this community, if we stand together, can stop the loss of this well used pub.”

Provision of activities for young people in the pub’s function room, such as singing and performance groups, are being looked at as well as using the facilities for other events including tea dances and film screenings.

Cllr Fred Westmoreland said: “If we allow things in the centre to go away as we have done in the past we are sabotaging the future of Amesbury. For every commercial business that disappears, there is no substitute.

“We cannot afford to let this pub go.”

Town mayor John Swindlehurst said: “Lets pull together on this one.”

To donate or help the campaign pop into the pub.