HANDS off! That's the message from hundreds of angry villagers who are campaigning to save an internationally renowned pub from the hands of property speculators.

Residents of Hamble say that they will fight all the way to stop Linden Homes converting their beloved waterfront Bugle Pub into a house.

Bearing placards stating "No concrete jungle", they handed their 450-person petition to Netley Abbey councillor David Airey.

Many of the older campaigners claimed the historic pub is known worldwide.

John Madin, a council member of the Solent Protection Society, said: "If you say to anyone in the world that you are from Hamble, they reply 'Oh yes, the Bugle Pub', especially in the sailing fraternity."

The fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects added: "The local planning authority and the council have powers to examine whether there should be a change of use or not. It's their responsibility under planning law to make this decision in a case like this."

Cllr Airey said it would be wrong to comment on whether Eastleigh Borough Council would grant the property developers permission to turn the Bugle into a private home and demolish the restaurant to make way for new houses.

He spoke only to assure the campaigners there would be a public area planning committee meeting on June 12 at 7.30pm in Hamble Primary School, Hamble Lane where their comments would be heard.

The building is Grade II-listed, which means neither the exterior nor interior walls could be changed without permission from the planning council.

Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council Keith House said: "We have almost no power in terms of policy to say 'No, we're not going to allow housing to be developed', which puts the local community and the borough council in quite a difficult position.

"Government housing policy encourages the redevelopment of sites within towns and villages for housing purposes and that's why we're seeing this trend in lots of pubs around the city and around Eastleigh.

"But we'd love to keep the pub open.

"Everyone wants that to happen but we can't make it happen."

The date for a second public meeting, in which the planning brief would be explained in simple terms, will be decided tonight during a meeting of the Hamble Parish Council.