The Sumpter Horse in Penwortham could be bulldozed to make way for a roundabout onto a new housing development. Housing giants Bovis want to build more than 400 homes and industrial units on the site of the former Vernon Carus factory.

Under proposals, the pub would be demolished to make way for a new access road from Leyland Road. But licensees Marilyn and Peter McDonnell hope they will be granted an extra three years behind the bar by the county court.

They hope that even if their bid is successful it could delay the demolition work and give them a stay of execution.

Marilyn, 59, said: "We've had 12 months of limbo and need to know where we stand. We'll still be here for at least another year and we want to keep the pub going."

The couple were originally told they would be evicted last April and the 200-year-old building demolished in May. But they believe continued delays in the planning process mean Bovis may not be able to start the work straight away.

The couple, who have run the Leyland Road pub for five years, have invested tens of thousands of pounds in the business and will be left homeless if the pub is demolished.

They say they also have strong support from regulars at the pub and their neighbours.

Marilyn added: "People think we are shutting but we're not. Some of our customers have started to look for somewhere else to drink because we can't tell anyone anything at the moment.

"We've applied for this lease, but it doesn't make us feel any better. Bovis have our lives in their hands."

A Bovis spokesman said: "Bovis Homes continue to progress a planning application for the former factory site with ongoing discussions with South Ribble Council.

"The proposals are for a sustainable, mixed-use development including new homes, a nature reserve, leisure and recreation space as well as business development.

"With regard to the Sumpter Horse Public House, the tenants have served proceedings to obtain a new lease and Bovis Homes continue to deal with these proceedings."

A final decision was due to be made in August, but South Ribble Council says the application will now not go before the planning committee until November at the earliest.

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