RESIDENTS are "hopping mad" a pub dating back to the 16th Century will be closed.

The Tudor Barn, Well Hall Road, Eltham, is owned by Greenwich Council and leased as a pub and restaurant.

But at a cabinet committee meeting on January 22, the council agreed to buy back the lease for the pub and plans a more "community-orientated" use for the pub.

The building, which was built in 1568 and is surrounded by a moat, will close on February 24.

A public meeting was held at the pub on Monday to discuss what action residents can take against the move, and 200 people have backed a campaign against the closure.

Sixty people have also joined a group on social networking website Facebook called Save the Tudor.

Campaign organiser and teacher Lynne Chamberlain, aged 56, of Brewery Road, Plumstead said: "People are hopping mad.

"They are furious their much-loved community pub is going.

"It is hugely popular with women who feel they can go in without harassment and all other locals from a variety of backgrounds.

"I think it would be a massive loss for the whole community."

For 12 years, the pub has also provided a venue for Folkmob, a folk music club which meets on Wednesdays.

The club has raised concerns it will no longer be able to use the Tudor Barn and fears the building may be left derelict and targeted by vandals.

Community group Friends of Well Hall Pleasaunce secretary John Webb said: "We are very keen the public has a say on what happens next.

"We hope whatever happens in the building next can be an asset to the community as a whole."

A Greenwich Council spokesman said: "The lease was up for sale by the current tenants and the council, as the landlord, was able to take the opportunity to secure it in response to a number of requests over a long period of time from residents and users of the park for a more community-orientated facility.

"The council will assume control of the lease in the next couple of weeks.

"No decision has yet been taken as to the future use of the building."