REGULARS in a Westbury pub are backing a landlord's bid to overturn the decision to revoke his late licence by contributing towards legal fees.

The Ludlow Arms, in the Market Place, has opened late on Fridays and Saturdays since August 2002 but was refused a renewal of the licence by West Wiltshire District Council in November.

Last month an appeal to Chippenham Magistrates' Court was unsuccessful but a 'fighting fund' has now been set up to raise money for a second appeal as landlord Paul Morris refuses to give up.

Mr Morris said: "We are doing it by collecting £2 from people when they come through the door between 10.30pm and 12.30pm every Friday and Saturday.

"The first appeal cost me about £25,000 and if I am to take if further then I need help because I can't afford to do it on my own.

"Obviously this will not raise enough money to cover the cost of the appeal but it will help and it will also prove to me that it is worth fighting on."

The fund was started just under a month ago and Mr Morris has been encouraged by the response of his customers.

He said: "Our attitude has always been that we didn't want to charge people to have a late drink because we are not a night club but we have been left with no choice.

"I feel we are fighting on behalf of the reasonable majority in Westbury who want to choose where they drink and 95 per cent of customers have been very understanding.

"If people had refused to make the donation then I would have given up because it would have been obvious they were not bothered about the licence but their response has encouraged me to keep going."

Gus McKay, 35, is a regular drinker at the Ludlow Arms and thinks the fund is a good idea.

He said: "I think the licence should have been kept and we should not be forced to drink elsewhere.

"Melksham and Trowbridge are just as built-up as here so what is the difference? I don't want to go to a nightclub to drink.

"I don't mind paying the two pounds because it is for a very good cause. It is not as if it is lining Paul's pockets."

Fellow drinker Mike Hudson, 29, a joint taper, agreed they should be allowed to carry on drinking past 11pm in the Ludlow Arms.

He said: "It is a travesty. I can't understand how a few small-minded people can affect a decision like this.

"It was a shock to be charged initially but you can't blame Paul for doing it. If we win the appeal it is going to benefit everyone."

While the appeal is in progress the Ludlow Arms has been allowed to retain its licence.