REGULARS of a Hereford pub have launched a campaign to try and keep it open.

The Hereford Times reported last month that the Nell Gwynne is due to close on Sunday after the owners declared the backstreet bar no longer financially viable.

The pub on Monkmoor Street could now be turned into flats.

Developers, Perfection Homes, want to build 15 apartments on the site and a planning application also includes offices as part of the proposed project.

But a number of people who regularly use the boozer are campaigning to keep it open, with more than 60 objections being submitted to Herefordshire Council.

Sonja Webb told the Hereford Times that she has been a customer for 18 years and still goes there despite living in Bosbury, near Ledbury.

"I started coming when I was a student and my children Shannon and Logan have been coming since they were babies," said Ms Webb.

"I live in Bosbury but I will come to the Nell Gwynne because I have been coming for so many years and class it as my local."

Planning documents state that the proposal would "present a unique opportunity to create both much-needed low-cost living accommodation within the city".

Regular Nick McLelland believes that the pub is still viable.

"You will find a lot of people here from around 4pm, including bricklayers, electricians and even people in the military," said Mr McLelland.

"It is a family pub and when I'm away, the landlord looks after my dog."

Mark Haslam, from Herefordshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is fighting the pub's corner.

"The owner claims that it is unviable, but the very different reality is that the pub is open and the landlord is doing good business," said Mr Haslam.

"It is bad enough seeing pubs close, without seeing pubs that are successfully trading and fulfilling a vital community need being targeted like this."

Billy Reynolds, from owners Herefordshire Pubs Ltd, said that the manager handed in his notice due to current trading conditions.

He added that Steve Harrison, who owns a number of pubs in the city, is supporting the closure and will welcome any regulars of the Nell Gwynne into one of his venues.