It’s been two months since last orders were called at a popular village pub.

But punters at The Flying Saucer in Hempstead have not given up their fight to save it just yet.

Indeed, the campaign to reopen the boozer they describe as “the hub of the community” has gathered momentum with hundreds signing a pledge to take it over and get the pints flowing once again.

The group has now applied to Medway Council to get a special protection order to prevent the hostelry being sold off to a property developer.

They are optimistic they will be granted what is known as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) largely because the pub, which has been serving locals since the 1950s, played an integral part in social wellbeing.

A feasibility questionnaire has been completed both online and at the village post office and chemist in which 98% expressed their preference for it staying as a pub, according to lead campaigner Bev Weir.

Many have offered their services, from practical repairs and building work to IT and accountancy skills, with the slogan “Let’s get the Saucer flying again”.

If granted the order it would mean the London-based owners would not be allowed to sell or develop the site for six months while a steering group compiles a proposal on how to buy it through grants, pledges and loans from shareholders.

Residents Bev and Jim Gilbourne, who is also the ward councillor, have been driving the campaign since the brewery Greene King announced the closure at the end of May.

They have been in email contact with the freeholder and have visited two other ACV pubs in the county, The Harrow at Stockbury and The Plough at Trottiscliffe, to see how it works and whether they can replicate the same in their village.

At the time of the pub’s closure, 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.”

Bev, who has lived in Hempstead with husband John Weir of John Weir Funeral Directors for more than 40 years, said: “The pub is at the heart of the old village of Hempstead.

“It’s where the elderly get together, where people go to catch up and it’s left a big hole in their lives.

“We shall never get to the bottom of why it closed.

“It was always popular and we are told it was not losing money.

“We know it is not going to come cheap, but we are determined to fight this all the way.”

In the recent survey, it was felt the building in Hempstead Road needed modernisation, should expand its food menu and become more “family-orientated”.

Bev has turned to the Plunkett Foundation, a charity that offers free advice to community businesses for help and support on legal matters and how to successfully bid for funding.

Regular activities held at the pub included weekly quiz nights, a board game club and darts team competitions.

Quizmaster Tom Ball, a primary school teacher, on hearing about the shutdown said: “Everyone is gutted. For many, it’s the highlight of their week.

“We have formed a WhatsApp group and are keeping in touch.”