THE village of Erlestoke is set to lose its only pub because landlord Ian Hutcheon wants to convert it to a house.

Mr Hutcheon and his wife Helena, who have owned and run the George and Dragon Inn in the High Street for the last 15 years, have been trying to sell it as a going concern for four years without success.

Mr Hutcheon said: "We have to think we will be retiring in four years or so and we must make plans for that.

"I understand people might be upset about the pub closing but it is not utilised on a regular basis and there are just not enough people in the village to make it a viable proposition."

Mr Hutcheon said drink-drive laws dissuaded people from other villages making the trip to the pub, and changes in drinkers' expectations had made running a rural pub difficult.

He said: "What do you want? A pub or a restaurant?

"Running a traditional pub just doesn't work any more. You have to turn it into a restaurant and how many cordon bleu chefs are there around?"

It is expected Kennet councillors will oppose the loss of the pub unless it can be shown that it has no future as an employment site, but Mr Hutcheon has warned it will close whether planning permission for a change of use is granted or not.

He said: "Because of a bequest a few years ago I was able to pay off the mortgage. So we will just close it and live in it as the family home."

The Hutcheons employ two cleaners, one barman, three waitresses and a chef, all on a part-time, casual basis, with a wage bill of £10,000 a year.

Colin Davis, chairman of the Devizes branch of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, blamed the plight of rural pubs on the high duty on beer and the amount of cheap drink being brought in from the continent. He said: "The price of a pint of beer has put it out of the reach of the common man on a regular basis. Everyone and his father seems to be selling cans of beer cheaper than we can sell it.

"Instead of saying, 'Let's go down the pub' people are saying, 'Come round my house tonight'. Unless pubs can offer something different, like a restaurant, they don't stand a chance.

"If it is the only pub in the village it is particularly sad. When the Wiltshire Yeoman in Chirton was threatened with closure, 200 people signed a petition. If they had used the pub instead, it would not have closed."

Wadworth, the Devizes brewery, has applied for a change of use at the Wiltshire Yeoman to convert it to a house.

The Clock Inn at Lydeway has already closed, and the Bell at Potterne is boarded up as the owners try to find a new manager.

A Kennet Council spokesman said Mr Hutcheon could close the George and Dragon and remain living there, but would not be able to convert the ground floor bars to residential use.