CAMPAIGNERS who have battled for two years to stop their local pub from being converted into a shop have lost a last ditch legal bid to save it.

More than 200 residents in Bishop Auckland, supported by the town’s MP, tried to protect The Aclet – describing it as a hub for the neighbourhood.

But they were devastated when a judge ruled on Thursday that the landmark premises, on the edge of the Woodhouse Close estate, can be sold to a property developer and converted into a Spar convenience store.

MP Helen Goodman paid tribute to the campaigners for their "bold fight" and that money had "trumped community again".

Owner Marston’s Pubs Limited had already agreed to sell the pub to James Hall and Company (Property) Limited, but residents banded together to block to move.

They argued that a clause in the pub’s 1966 title deeds – designed as a sweetener for families forcibly moved to the Woodhouse Close estate – meant it could only be used as a ‘hotel and licensed victualler’.

Speaking at a court hearing in South Shields last month, they said The Aclet is "not just a pub" but that for some frail and elderly patrons it is "their life".

Campaign spokeswoman, Sophie Hartfield, told Judge Peter McCrea: "Should it close, then some people might simply not go out."

But hopes of saving it were dashed today when they received the ruling of the judge, who found it brought "no practical benefit" to people in the area.

Marston’s argued that, despite a loyal clientele, the pub was not commercially viable as it has high overheads, would cost £250,000 to refurbish and only made tiny profits.

The company told the judge it had agreed to sell and if the proposals were blocked the pub would probably be closed and boarded up.

The Aclet, it said, had "struggled" in recent years, with eight different landlords "none of whom succeeded in generating a viable return".

It did manage to make a profit of £40,000 last year but the company argued that may have been down to a local campaign to ‘use it or lose it’.

Ms Hartfield denied that, saying that The Aclet's current management was "performing very well" and that it had a future and should only cost about £50,000 to bring up to scratch.

But the company insisted a new convenience store would be a better community hub than a boarded-up pub.

Residents' objections, it claimed, were largely based on "nostalgic recollections".

Judge McCrae modified the restriction clause to allow the sale to go through and for the pub's conversion into a Spar to proceed.

"I am satisfied that the restriction does not secure practical benefits to the objectors," he ruled.

Ms Goodman said: “The ruling is very disappointing and I question whether the judge has ever been to the pub or even Bishop Auckland.

“Money has trumped community again.

“The campaigners should be very proud of themselves as they put up a bold fight and I will join them for a farewell drink.”