VILLAGERS have drawn their battle swords and vowed to buy the last surviving pub in Rock to save it from being turned into housing.

The consortium, which already has 16 members in the fight to save the Rock Cross Inn, Rock Cross, says it will not let a "matrimonial dispute" bring an end to two centuries of tradition.

Co-owner Andrew Farr, 40, moved out of the pub just over a year ago after becoming estranged from his wife Lyn, 37.

She is seeking to sell off the pub, which closed a fortnight ago, and turn it into four three-bedroomed mews cottages and a bungalow.

However, some villagers, including members of Rock Parish Council and previous landlord Richard Griffin, are in uproar at the plans and support Mr Farr, who wants to buy the pub but cannot meet the asking price.

A consortium spokesman said: "If none of the current interested breweries wish to pursue their interest in the pub we are in a position to ensure an offer can be made for the pub as a going concern.

"We fully understand Lyn's position and are sorry that she and her family find themselves in this predicament, but generations of people have used the pub over, at least, the last two centuries and one matrimonial dispute shouldn't take that right away from future generations."

Mrs Farr, who has sons aged eight and 13, has claimed she has received malicious and threatening phone calls, and is currently using the pub, which is not on the market, as a family home.

She was not available for comment as the Shuttle/Times and News went to press.

A Wyre Forest District Council planning office spokesman said: "We are still awaiting further information relating to the viability of the business as a going concern.

"The housing proposal won't be put before the planning (development control) committee until October at the earliest."