A petition has been launched to save a Thornton Heath pub after it was discovered it was under threat of demolition.

The manager of the Horseshoe pub, in London Road, said regular punters are outraged after they heard “the last pub of its kind” in the area could face closure.

Diane Flaherty only saw that planning permission to convert the boozer into flats had been submitted after she saw a poster on a neighbouring building on Christmas day.

The proposal was submitted by Stamos Yeoh Architects to Croydon Council on November 17 and validated on December 8.

If the application gets the green light the pub would be bulldozed and replaced with a four or five-storey development made up of retail or business space and homes.

Ms Flaherty, who has worked in the well-loved watering hole for four years, said: “There are people here that have been drinking here all their lives - It’s them who will feel this more than anyone.

“We were aware that something was going to happen at some point, but what exactly we didn’t know. And then I found the poster on Christmas morning.

“The regular customers aren’t happy, especially finding out over the Christmas period.

"The pub is the last of its kind in the area with a real pub feel. They will have nowhere to go."

Regular punters have started a petition that is being passed amongst residents in the area to oppose the plans, which Ms Flaherty said has gained roughly 80 signatures in two days.

Do you spend time in the Horseshoe pub? Send your thoughts to sean.morrison@london.newsquest.co.uk or call the newsroom on 0208 7226363.