A last-ditch attempt is being made to save a popular community pub after the shock announcement it is closing today.

Last orders are being called at The Flying Saucer in Hempstead, sparking a wave of protests among its loyal customers and residents.

Among them is ward councillor Jim Gilbourne, who is leading the campaign to keep the boozer open.

He has exchanged emails with the owners and is pushing for a face-to-face meeting so they can see firsthand what the pub means to the regulars who describe it as “the heart of the village”.

Like others, he is considering all options, including contacting alternative breweries as well as the possibility of the community taking it over.

A spokesman for Greene King told KentOnline: “Closing a pub is never an easy decision, so it is with great regret that we have decided to close The Flying Saucer in Gillingham and our last day of trading will be Saturday, June 8.

“The property will be returned to the freeholder and our focus will remain on supporting our team members at this time.”

Cllr Gilbourne lives behind the pub in Hempstead Road and a few years ago started a board games club which still meets at the pub every week, attracting up to 25 people.

He said: “We were all very shocked when we heard it was closing. It’s busy most evenings with a quiz night and there are darts teams.

“The staff are devastated. They may be offered other jobs but they feel it is a community pub and they are part of the community.”

Tom Ball, a primary school teacher who has been hosting the weekly quiz for the last five years, said everyone is “absolutely gutted”.

The 36-year-old added: “For many it’s the highlight of their week. At the last quiz this week they kept asking what are we going to do?

“We have formed a WhatsApp group and will keep in touch.

“I have been looking at other pubs but it’s important to keep it local.

“During Covid, we kept it going online. We have become a community within a community.

“Wherever we go it will always be known as The Flying Saucer quiz.”

But Tory councillor Gillbourne insists they “are not giving up”.

“We want to meet the owners so we can be part of their thinking,” he added.

“We have also been looking at how the community took over the Harrow at Stockbury and made it work.

“There will be a big party at the pub tonight.”

Staff at the Spyglass and Kettle, another Greene King establishment nearby. have agreed to cover behind the bar so employees can enjoy a last drink with locals.

A popular live sports venue, only a week ago the brewery was advertising it as the ideal place to watch the upcoming football Euros competition.

It was also encouraging customers to book a table to treat dads to a meal on Father’s Day next Sunday.

The pub has existed under its name since 1951 when the licence of the former Shipwright Arms in Brompton was transferred to its current location and opened with the unusual name.

It’s believed it came after a flurry of UFO reports in the area at the time.

It is said to be one of the first pubs in England to feature spacecraft on its sign.