Villagers are looking for a "white knight" to provide the cash to reopen a pub.

The Bugle Inn at Twyford near Winchester was boarded up in July.

The owners, the Ringwood-based Inntown Pub Company, submitted an application to Winchester City Council in August to build 10 homes on the site. It was sent back, owing to a lack of information.

Residents have formed the Save The Bugle Action Group to campaign for the pub to reopen. Around 25 group members gathered outside the Bugle at Park Lane on Friday to meet Winchester MP, Mark Oaten.

He said: "In a village like Twyford, a pub is more than just a pub - it's part of the community, and we should reject housing on the site."

He told campaigners that he would speak to representatives in the licensed trade to see if he could find a buyer for the pub.

"There may just be a white knight out there," he added.

Rodney Graham, of the Save The Bugle Action Group, said there were possible buyers.

"I've had conversations with people who are very interested in taking ownership of the pub, and to keep it as a pub."

He said a potential hurdle was that Inntown were liable to quote a high price for The Bugle, which lies in the Twyford Conservation Area.

Mr Graham speculated that the price would fall if planners thwarted Inntown's aim to build homes at the site.

"Should an application fail then maybe that will bring the cost of the site down to a more realistic level."

City council member for Twyford, Jim Wagner, commented that it was the authority's policy to protect amenities like the pub.

He added: "Twyford is a small village, but we've been good at retaining our local amenities."

With The Bugle closed, only one pub remains open in the village, which is the Phoenix Inn in the High Street.

Patrick O'Neill, of the Campaign for Real Ale's South Hants branch, said Twyford drinkers needed more choice.

"The Bugle was a popular pub, and I know people used to come here from quite a long way away, especially to eat. There's no question that it's commercially viable."

City planners are now waiting to see if Inntown submits another application.