SPORTS teams that use a community pub in Devizes have besieged Wiltshire Council with petitions to prevent it being bulldozed and replaced with houses.

Among the campaigners trying to save The Cavalier in Eastleigh Road are numerous skittles and darts teams that fear they will be homeless if Wadworth is given permission to demolish the building and replace it with seven houses.

A pole dancing group that uses the function room have also signed a petition in a bid to keep the pub which has been at the centre of the community since the 1960s.

Devizes Town Council has objected to the proposal and among those who have written to protest is deputy mayor Andy Geddes who has pointed out inaccuracies in the case for closure put by Wadworth. He said: "The Cavalier has an unrivalled provision of recreational sporting facilities which enable it to support multiple darts and skittles teams which are a significant element of local leagues.

"The nearest alternative pubs cater primarily for those who are seeking to sit down and dine, and would be incapable of absorbing the displaced teams if the Cavalier were to close. It is an almost inevitable consequence of the closure of the Cavalier that these displaced teams would therefore also be forced to close with a knock on effect on the viability of the local competitions and leagues across the whole of the town."

The Cavalier Conservation group has been set up to save the pub and its Facebook page has received a number of posts from people who fear its closure will cause isolation.

One said: "My dad has been a regular here since we were kids, he is now a full time carer for my mum and doesn't get to see many people, so when he get the opportunity he comes for a pint on his scooter, if the Cavvy went it would be awful for gim and others like him as he wouldn't be able to go further afield."

The group is continuing its campaign despite the decision by Cavalier tenants James and Tricia Blake to move from The Cavalier to the Bell By The Green in the centre of Devizes which is undergoing a £250,000 make over. They said on the pub's Facebook page: "As many are aware we have been offered the fantastic opportunity to run The Bell by the Green. After long and careful consideration we have decided to take it.

"This has by no means been any easy decision for us but we have to do what we feel is best for our family. We would like to thank all of our customers for their support over the last ten years."

The planning application has been called in by Wiltshire Council and will be decided by the eastern area planning committee.

A spokesman for Wadworth said: "As part of a review Wadworth is considering options for the Cavalier and has submitted a planning application for change of use. This will go through the standard planning application process where individuals will have the opportunity to make their opinions known formally."