Nearly 1,000 people have signed a petition to keep a local landlord in charge of his pub.

The local community in Barford has rallied behind publican Keith Marsden who has been given until Monday (19 August) to leave the Granville Arms.

Landlord Stonegate Group has found a new tenant for the Wellesbourne Road inn, but locals have been quick to voice their anger at the news.

In a statement to the BBC, Stonegate said it was not able to reach a new agreement with Mr Marsden, meaning a new publican was found and an exit date agreed.

But Rebecca Pull - who launched the online petition - called on people to "act fast" to keep Mr Marsden in his post.

Writing on the online petition she said: "Stonegate don't care about the village or what the village wants. 

"They are a greedy and dishonest company who mess around pub owners with leases."

She added: "Stonegate see the '£' signs and go with the highest bidder.

"There are a number of us that want to help keep Keith at the Granville and not ruin what he's worked so hard to create. 

"We are willing to fight Stonegate and the incoming company."

Mr Marsden has already held a "farewell party" at the Granville, with lots of locals heading down to enjoy the live music.

Meanwhile Stonegate said it is committed to the future of the venue and the local community.

"We were obviously disappointed we were not able to reach an agreement [with Mr Marsden], but our new publican has ambitious plans for the pub," the statement from Stonegate to the BBC explained.

"We are confident it will remain very much at the heart of the local community long into the future."

And while the clock ticks down at the Granville Arms, some 990 locals have signed the petition, with countless more sharing messages of support and thanks on social media.

Ms Pull's statement on the petition continued: "As a lot of you are aware Keith who runs The Granville has done an amazing job at turning the pub into the hub of the village. 

"In the nine months that he's been the landlord he's introduced a coffee shop, given work to local residents and most recently saved The Cinnamon Arch by giving them the restaurant area at The Granville so we can still all enjoy their delicious food.

"Keith cares a lot about the village and the people who live here. Since day one he wanted to make it our community hub. 

"His generosity has been enjoyed by so many of us. 

"He has worked so hard to make the pub the village pub we have all craved for so many years. 

"Keith has been trying to negotiate a 10 year lease on the pub which proves how committed he is to the village.

"The pub is busier than it has been in such a long time even week nights are busier than the pub used to be on Friday and Saturday nights under previous landlords."

See the petition here.