A HISTORIC 150-year-old Hamp-shire pub has been given permission to call time on one of its bars despite a 800-signature petition opposing the move.

The riverside Jolly Sailor at Bursledon was given the green light by Eastleigh borough councillors to remove a second bar installed in the 1970s.

The decision brought an angry response from CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale - which collected an 800-name petition opposing the alteration.

A spokesman for pub owners Hall and Woodhouse said that they intended to restore the original fabric of the building and English Heritage had no objection to the scheme.

CAMRA branch chairman Ian Black said: "This is devastating news. Nobody other than Hall and Woodhouse wants these changes. It will result in the complete destruction of the pub's character and traditional feel.

"The front riverside room of the pub will have its bar completely removed, destroying its atmosphere totally. The plans for the interior amount to ripping the heart out of the pub.

"Two bar pubs are becoming increasingly rare and the Jolly Sailor is a particularly special example known the world over."

Adam Thomas, head of marketing for the brewer, explained that behind the bar was a double fridge that sat in an original fireplace.

He said: "We want to restore that fireplace and open it up so that people can see it."

The removal of the bar is among a package of changes that the brewer plans to make, including a kitchen extension and a new lift mechanism to ensure safe transport of beer from the road down to the pub below.

Retail director David Hoare said: "Hall and Woodhouse is passionate about the Jolly Sailor and has absolutely no intention of spoiling the ambience of one of our favourite pubs, or indeed to take any action which would have a negative impact on the building, our staff or our customers."