Amy GrayA popular Broads pub that is up for sale could be bought by its patrons, after a packed public meeting showed support for the project.Amy Gray

A popular Broads pub that is up for sale could be bought by its patrons, after a packed public meeting showed support for the project.

On Friday night, about 140 people attended the meeting at Upton village hall, near Acle, to hear about a plan for villagers to buy shares in the White Horse.

The pub, in Chapel Lane, was put on the market for �350,000 more than a year ago after its current landlord, Ray Norman, aka Winkle, announced his retirement due to ill health.

But there was little interest from buyers and people living in Upton feared they would lose their local pub, which is also a favourite with holidaymakers.

So on Friday Richard Thornhill, Gordon McFadyen and Kevin Cotton headed a meeting to discuss the possibility of locals buying �500 shares in the pub and running it as a community effort.

Mr Thornhill said the response was positive and it was standing room only in the hall. 'Now we are waiting for the pledges to come in to make a decision on how we move forward if there is sufficient interest - there certainly seemed to be within the meeting.'

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