A council has refused a purchase order served on it by the owner of a boarded up village pub who claims a planning stalemate has left him facing 'virtual financial ruin'.

Graham Scott, the owner of King's Head Inn in Pulham St Mary, which closed in 2007, had served the official notice calling on South Norfolk Council to buy the historic building.

The council rejected the notice stating he had not demonstrated that the building is "incapable of reasonably beneficial use" and had provided no evidence of any attempt to sell or appropriately let the site.

Its decision adds: "Again the council would wish to reiterate that it is willing to assist, where appropriate, with facilitating the sale of the public house to a willing purchaser in order to bring it back into use."

MORE: Landlord demands council buys his closed pub over planning sagaIn 2015 Mr Scott saw plans for 18 new homes on the site of the Grade II listed 16th century building refused. Plans to partially demolish it were also rejected last year.

In April the planning inspectorate upheld the council's refusal of a previous purchase notice.