DRINKERS are celebrating a "victory for community spirit" after helping to save their favourite pub from demolition.

Regulars at The Royal Eltham are raising a glass to council planners who rejected proposals to knock down the pub and build flats in its place.

Now those who campaigned to save the pub say they want to make it the centrepiece of their community to ward off future bidders.

Developer Atlasway Ltd wanted to bulldoze The Royal Eltham, on the Coldharbour Estate, Mottingham, and replace it with 28 flats.

But a Greenwich Council planning committee turned down the application last week because of fears the development was too big for the surrounding area.

Regulars had fought a campaign to save their pub, claiming it was important to keep a traditional boozer at the heart of the Coldharbour community.

Michael Bennett, of Adderley Gardens, Mottingham, admits he thought they were fighting a losing battle.

He said: "We are quite shocked. We all thought it was going to be knocked down.

"It is great news. The pub is the centrepiece of our community."

The 47-year-old added: "We were going to start darts and snooker teams but did not put any energy into it because we thought the pub was going.

"Now we can do this. It will bring people together and give us ammunition against anyone wanting to knock the pub down."

Another drinker Fred Pine, 80, of Lambarde Avenue, who has lived in the area for 50 years, said: "The pub is the one thing which brings us all together. This is a great victory for community spirit."

Last month Coldharbour and New Eltham ward councillor Chris Taylor presented a 400-signature petition to the council opposing the demolition.

He said: "The pub is a beautiful old building and adds to the area's character.

"What they were proposing was too much for such a small site."

Atlasway Ltd declined to comment.