VILLAGERS in Bromham fear the historic Oliver Cromwell pub could become a target for vandals if it is left empty by its owners Enterprise Inn.

Landlord Tony Okun and his family were forced to leave the pub at St Edith's March last month despite villagers campaigning for him to stay.

He was told Enterprise was selling the pub so it could become an Indian restaurant but as yet there is no sign of any work taking place.

This week Bromham Parish Council chairman Peter Paget, who has a personal attachment to the pub as it is where his grandmother was born in 1888, said: "We are very disappointed that it seems the Oliver Cromwell will stop being a pub.

"I have been drinking there for almost 60 years and my grandmother's parents used to run it. She was actually born in the pub and family land backed on to the pub. It almost feels as if it is our building which is being sold."

He said the closure of the pub was a blow for the whole parish and he was worried that if it is left empty it could become a boarded up eyesore and target for vandals similar to the Stage Post in West Lavington which closed in 2010 and eventually had metal barriers put up to stop damage.

"It is a concern for a lot of people. I would rather it was not sold to be redeveloped for housing as happened with the Queen's Head up the road near Devizes. It should remain a commercial building," he said.

Mr Okun, who tried to fight eviction from the pub, is now living in Berkshire but is yet to find a new job.

He said this week that he had heard that a family who own the popular Palm Indian restaurant at Froxfield near Marlborough and the Goa Balti at Everleigh near Pewsey, were going to take it over.

But Zuman Ahmed, one of two brothers who own the restaurants, said: "We have not been in negotiation for this pub."

It is understood that a former chef of The Palm may be behind the project.

The pub is on the market for sale freehold for £295,000. Enterprise would not confirm if there were plans to turn it into a curry house.