COMMUNITY groups have been given six months to pull together a bid to save a well-known pub.

Uncle Jacks could become a community-run pub if a group fighting to save it can raise enough funds to buy the building.

Star Pubs and Bars put up metal boarding and shutters on the Lower Darwen pub more than a year ago.

The pub – which used to be a popular haunt for Rovers fans on match days – was put on the market by estate agents Fleurets.

But now a group who saw how residents had successfully taken over the Dog Inn in Belthorn want to do the same for Uncle Jacks.

The Save Uncle Jacks group have applied for the pub to be named as an asset of community value – and now have six months to try to buy the property.

A spokesman for the group said: “For the next six months, only a community interest group can buy Uncle Jacks. We are currently putting together a business plan and we want people to step forward and be on the committee."

The group is looking to expand its committee and is holding a meeting at Beechwood Haven Cafe on December 3 at 7pm.

If members of the public cannot attend the meeting then they can still contact the group by emailing ldvillagepub@outlook.com.

The spokesman added: “A public meeting to update everyone will be held in the New Year when we will be announcing more details about buying shares and owning a share in the pub.

“Therefore Tuesday's meeting is purely for people who want to be on the committee.

“We believe this is our best chance to save Uncle Jacks for the community of Lower Darwen.

"For anyone wishing to follow our progress we are on Facebook as Save Uncle Jacks.”

The group is having a meeting with a surveyor next week who will be looking around the pub to give an idea of the value of the building and the amount involved in the refurbishment.

Cllr John Slater, who represents the Lower Darwen ward, said: “We will support people trying to put the bid together.

“There is obviously a drive to establish a business there and the council have no say in that but it would be great to get an old building back in use. We have lost three pubs in Lower Darwen so to get that open again would be a real positive.”