RESIDENTS are celebrating after "people power" saved an historic pub from demolition.

The Ladle, in Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, had been earmarked to be flattened after Whitbread asked permission to replace it with a modern pub, hotel and drive-through restaurant. However, a spokeswoman for the brewery said last night that it might still appeal against the decision.

"Its future is now uncertain. It is obviously a site we want to develop, and we can either appeal or alter the application. But at the moment, a decision has not been made," she said.

Local people deluged Middlesbrough Borough Council with petitions demanding the Victorian building be saved.

Planning officials had recommended the plan be approved, but it was unanimously rejected at a meeting of the council's cabinet on Friday.

Ian Graham, chairman of Marton Avenue Residents' Association, said: "We are absolutely delighted that commonsense has prevailed. This building is quite unique and it's on a lovely site. Individuals and the association wrote letters, and we contacted several groups in the area to save it. I think a combination of all that convinced the council to change its mind."

The Ladle, which stands between the Prissick sports fields and Stewart Park, was built by Middlesbrough's first mayor, Henry Bolckow, in the 1860s.

It was originally known as Brackenhoe Hall. Had the plans been approved, it would have been replaced by a 40-bedroom hotel and a restaurant with seven day a week, 7am to midnight opening.

Among residents' objections were that an unacceptable increase in traffic would have been generated.

Mr Graham said The Ladle supporters, including Marton Community Council and the Stewart Park and Marton Heritage Group, are now concentrating on safeguarding it for the future.

"We are thinking about what we can do to preserve it, and have contacted the heritage people in London to see if it can be listed," he said.

"Our councillors are also looking at having it listed on a local level."

Liberal Democrat councillor Tom Mawston, who represents Marton ward, said: "To replace it with what was planned would have caused a blot on the landscape.