A much-loved Battersea pub has been saved from demolition after it was granted community status by Wandsworth Council.

Following a hard-fought campaign, lasting more than a year, The Castle pub has been registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) under the Localism Act.

The "historic" decision by the council means the pub is officially the borough's first ACV.

Former landlords Cate Toomey and Aaron Tumata, both from New Zealand, were forced to leave the country and fly home in the New Year after planning permission was granted to demolish the pub and replace it with luxury flats.

Dale Ingram, London Hubs protection adviser for CAMRA said: "If they wanted to come back, I bet local residents would pay their airfare.

"For four years they made the Castle the most amazing place but there are other great publicans out there who could help turn the Castle back into the pub we want."

Huge public pressure and a petition, produced by The Castle Battersea Supporter's Group and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), signed by 900 people saw the council amended the pub's status.

Developers Languard Investments, who own the site, have placed The Castle on the market with a price tag of £2.25m, having paid sellers Young's Brewery just £1.1m in 2011.

Now, the supporters group, or "a local consortium of interested parties", has six weeks to submit an expression of interest to the council to secure their chance to bid for the pub.

MP for Battersea, Jane Ellison, supported the campaign and said: "I was pleased to see local people rally behind this application for ACV status.

"It is important for the future of local pubs to get an insight into how Wandsworth Council are approaching this important new legislation."

For more information visit castlesupporters.org.uk.