Villagers have banded together to try to protect a prized pub from closure after its owners applied to convert it to a house.

Residents in Helperby, near Easingwold, have started a petition to try to save the award-winning Half Moon Inn, which has been trading for almost 150 years.

Rachel Faulks, 60, said more than 400 people had signed a letter calling for the pub to remain open.

She said: "The pub is a focus for much of the village, meetings take place there and sports clubs use it as a base. This is part of the erosion of village life.

"The building has been a pub for more than 140 years. It's small, busy, comfortable and welcoming for farmers and traders."

Geoff Henman, of York CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), said the group would oppose the closure of the business, which they named Country Pub of the Year in 2001.

He said: "The proposals for the closure of the Half Moon is of particular significance to the village community and the many visitors from a wider area.

"Unfortunately there is no requirement to de-licence a pub and they can be closed at will, and our only chance to object is if they want to alter it for some other purpose."

Property owner Catherine Hall, who runs Yorkshire Sheeting Supplies at Clifton Moor, York, said there were too many pubs in the village and the business was not viable.

She said: "I'm applying for planning permission to change it into a house. When I am going to do that is not clear at the moment."

Planning officer Sally Leeming, of Hambleton District Council, said she expected the decision to be made by July 1. Landlord Geoff Arnott, who recently announced his resignation, said he did not wish to comment.

There was better news at another village pub, though, after a chef who answered a job advert ended up part of a trio who are now running the place.

Ray Michelson, 41, is one of the new leaseholders of The Black Horse Inn, at Tollerton, near Easingwold, along with girlfriend Jo Dawson, 28, and friend Phil Banasiuk, 45.

Regional manager of the pub, David Eldon of Enterprise Inns, said the pub was never under real threat of closure, despite the rumours.

But he said that with new faces in charge, the pub was set to fulfil its true potential as the heart of Tollerton.

The trio decided to take over the lease of the village pub after former landlord, Tim Taylor, came to the end of his contract.

Jo said she and Ray, from Kirk Hammerton, near York, and Phil, from Harrogate, never imagined they would be taking over the pub, although it is something she has always wanted to do.

She said: "There was a threat of it maybe closing down, but it was up for lease. I've managed pubs before and I've always wanted my own pub, so we all got together and just went for it."

Updated: 10:37 Tuesday, June 10, 2003