THE last pints could soon be served at a village pub, after planners gave the go-ahead for it to be converted into a home.

A decision approving a planning application to convert The Countryman Inn, at Winksley, near Ripon, ends a battle over the pub's future.

The community was split, with campaigners wanting to keep it open while others admitted it had to close.

Closure means that the village, with a population of about 100, will lose its only pub.

Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council sealed the pub's fate at its meeting, by approving the planning application for redevelopment.

A decision had been deferred in June, awaiting negotiations about a possible sale of the property and business.

But councillors overwhelmingly voted in favour of redevelopment after hearing there was no realistic prospect of operating the pub on a viable basis, due to its poor access, position within the village and changing community life.

The move was opposed by Azereley and Winksley Parish Council, but landlord Mark James was backed in his application by letters of support from residents, caravan owners and Galphay and Winksley Cricket Club.