A LEISURE firm has lodged an appeal to keep a marquee outside a New Forest pub.

The Ellingham, Harbridge and Ibsley company has applied to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for permission to keep the structure outside the High Corner Inn in Linwood.

New Forest Council planning bosses refused the original application on the grounds that the marquee would be out of keeping with the character of the area and would lead to unacceptably high numbers of customers at the pub.

Written representations on the scheme should be made to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/03, Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, quoting reference APP/B1740/A/04/117126, before February 15.