A HEREFORD pub at risk of closure may have been thrown a lifeline.

Regulars at The Broadleys were told last month that the pub's owners, NewRiver Retail, wanted to turn the venue into a Co-op and didn't need planning permission to do so.

This was challenged by customers and the county branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ales) who helped pen a letter to Herefordshire Council asking the authority to enforce a requirement meaning planning permission must first be sought.

And earlier today, supporters were told the "unusual" step was being taken.

"It's brilliant news and things are going in the right direction," said Broadleys landlady, Tina Carey.

"But I would still urge people to write to the council because it will then carry extra weight.

"It is still a case of use it or lose it with the Broadleys.

"People now have the opportunity to make that difference if that's what they want."

An online petition calling on the council to make the change has received more than 600 signatures, while many others have added their name to paper petitions.

Marc Willimont, the council's head of development management and environmental health, said: "The Broadleys is a popular local pub and appears to be a thriving business.

"There had been concerns about the possibility of converting the site to a supermarket.

"This has been a matter of great concern to the local community.

"I'd therefore like to thank both the local people and, particularly, members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for their help in gathering the evidence necessary to take this important and unusual step."