A village has been left stunned by plans to demolish a popular watering hole.

An application for prior notification has been launched to demolish the Queens Head pub in Burgh Castle.

The news has stunned locals who did not notice any issues ongoing at the pub.

Landlord David James said 'the public house is no longer viable as a business' on the application to Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

He added: 'If it is closed and and left empty then it will be rquired to pay business rates so we would like to demolish the building.

'A enquiry was recently taken up with the L.P.A as to whether it is a community asset and as the L.P.A made no response in the requisite time period, it was established that it was not a community asset.'

The documents also state the works are expected to commence on January 31 and be completed by February 28 and the full site is to be demolished to a flat and safe surface.

Trevor Greenacre, the parish council chairman for Burgh Castle said: 'It would be a huge loss to the village.

'It is a big shock and we are stunned and don't know why it is happening as there was nothing to suggest that there was any problems.'

John Rudrum, also a parish councillor for the village added: 'I am very sad to hear about this - the pub has been here as long as I have.

'I know a lot of pubs struggle these days but I did not realise there were any issues at the Queens Head.'

Should the demolition goes ahead, then it will leave the Kingfishers Bar as the only drinking establishment in the village.

David James from the Queens Head was not available for comment.