STAFF and regulars at a York community pub are locked in a battle to save their boozer.

Aberford Investments, owner of The Magpie, in The Groves, has applied to turn the pub into 27 apartments.

But landlord Tony Alsop and landlady Clare Foster have launched a campaign to save The Magpie.

They have been backed by their loyal regulars, some of whom have been drinking in the pub for decades. Tony, who rents the pub from Aberford, said: "When I took the tenancy on they said they were trying to get it redeveloped. I said: 'Fair enough, you try and knock it down, I will try and keep it up,' we've always been straight with each other.

"There is no need for the pub to go and people who drink here don't want it to go. We will fight this as far as we can."

Clare said: "It is the atmosphere of this place that makes it special. The customers here are our friends, it is one big happy family."

Freddie Quinn, a regular for 40 years, who travels from Acomb to The Magpie, said: "The atmosphere of this place makes it special, and the beer. It is the best pint in York."

Another regular, who asked to be known as Grizzly, said: "There is no pub like this one. We all get on with each other, I wouldn't want to drink anywhere else. There is no need for them to knock it down."

Well-known Groves character Brian Greaves, who has been a regular at The Magpie for more than 30 years, said he would be lost if the pub was demolished.

"This place means a lot to me and to everyone who comes in here.

"Where would I go for a drink if they did knock it down?," he asked.

Updated: 08:36 Monday, December 29, 2003