A community has more than £160,000 behind the bar to use in its efforts to buy a village pub.

About 100 people have pledged to financially support a plan to purchase The Hook and Hatchet, in Hucking, in a bid to protect the site from developers.

The campaign was launched in January when the building’s freehold was put on the market by Shepherd Neame for £450,000.

In recent weeks, the group has successfully registered the vacant property, in Church Road, as a non-profit company limited by guarantee.

“The support has been great, especially as we’re such a small community” - Campaigner Samantha Mabb

The next step is to apply for the government-supported Community Right to Bid scheme through Maidstone council.

Campaigner Samantha Mabb, of Scragged Oak Road, said: “The support has been great, especially as we’re such a small community.”

Shepherd Neame has welcomed the possibility of selling the property to the parishioners if they are able to fund acquisition at the asking price.

Villagers will meet on Thursday, May 28 to discuss how much they are able to offer for the pub.

The meeting will take place at This Art of Mine in Little Budds Farm, off Coldblow Lane, Thurnham, from 8pm.

If you would like to attend, email sam.mabb@hotmail.co.uk

A few miles away from the Hook and Hatchet, the future of another much-loved village pub hangs in the balance.

More than two months after the grade II listed Old Plantation Inn called last orders its future is still up in the air after a controversial planning application to turn it into homes was revised.

The pub, in Bearsted, was boarded up at the beginning of March to much disdain, and has remained empty since.

The closure of the Plantation Lane freehouse, which dates back to about 1560, followed the lodging of the application by owner Heritage Designer Homes Ltd in November.

The plan, which would see the pub transformed into a luxury home, with two other houses built on the 0.24 hectare site, was met with waves of criticism by locals who objected to the company’s judgement that it was no longer a viable business.

The application was due to go before Maidstone Borough Council’s planning committee this month, however this week a spokesman for the authority confirmed minor changes will mean a period of public consultation will open again within the next few weeks.

An online petition against the proposal launched by resident Sue Nutting attracted more than 600 signatures and has been presented to MBC.