A North Bradley landlady has been given notice to leave a popular village pub.

Carolyn Taylor, 60, has been told she must leave The Mash Tun on Woodmarsh by January 1, and fears the pub will be demolished by owners Enterprise Inns and houses built on the land.

She said: “The brewery didn’t tell us when they put it on the market, I only heard from a rumour from my chef.

“Enterprise actually said to me it has been sold for development. The suspicion is it will be houses, but no plans have gone in yet.

“They’re a big company and they own the property and I only own the lease, so they can do what they want with it.”

The pub will close on New Year’s Eve with a party for all the regulars.

Ms Taylor lives in the village and took on the pub 18 months ago when she was made redundant from Wiltshire Council.

She said: “I have made it quite clear I will trade until the 31st, even if nobody comes in. It will be a big party, with a disco and a buffet, to thank all the customers for their support. I have really loved it, and I’ve made some really good friends.”

Michael Sheppard has been coming to the pub from his home in Trowbridge for 20 years. He said: “It’s a bit of a sad day as it has been here for a long time.

“It’s the people behind the bar who make a pub, and they’re so friendly here. I shall definitely be in for dinner on New Year’s Eve to say goodbye.”

Chris Monk, surveyor at James A Baker, the firm managing the sale, said: “It’s been on the market for about three months, since the beginning of September.

“We have got a purchaser lined up, who is interested in the sale, and we hope it will all go through by January next year.

“It is for sale, as a freehold lease, but I can’t comment on the purchase. Anything is possible, I have no idea of the intentions for the premises.”