ANGRY residents have staged a last ditch stand to save their village pub.

The axe is poised to fall on the Davenport Arms, at Calveley, with the bulldozers waiting to move in to flatten it for housing development.

But residents have sent a 103-signature petition to Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council urging them to turn down an application to clear the site to build five two-storey homes.

They have also asked Eddisbury MP Stephen O'Brien for his backing.

They say the pub is the only amenity they have in the village.

Their views are supported by Calveley Parish Council, which says that no investment has been put into the pub to attract customers.

The plan to demolish the pub has been submitted by businessman Malcolm Rose, and was originally earmarked for approval by borough council planning officer Paul Ancell.

The plan was due to go before members of the development control panel yesterday but whatever decision was then recommended will still have to go to the next meeting of the full council because it is a departure from the district Development Plan.

Ed Smith, of Station Road, Calveley, a spokesman for the residents, said: 'There has been a pub there since the 18th Century and I personally have been going in the Davenport Arms for a pint for the last 30 years.

'We have lost our station, the village shop, the cafe, and now we face losing our pub.'

The pub is run by Mick and Jan Merrick.

Mr Merrick said when they took over the Davenport Arms five years ago it had already closed down through lack of trade. Despite efforts to build up trade it was still not busy.