REAL ale lovers have spoken of their shock at the decision to close a landmark pub and demolish it to make way for housing.

The Cock o' the North, on the A167, south of Durham City, is to close at the end of the month after being sold to a housing company.

Staff member Samantha Debrick said: "It has all come as a bit of a shock. Hopefully, we will be given places at other pubs in the area."

A spokesman for the Birmingham-based Mitchells and Butlers group said last night: "I can confirm that we have sold the pub and it is due to close at the end of the month.

"We consistently review all our businesses and, on this occasion, this business is no longer viable, therefore we chose to sell it.

"We are looking to relocate the staff at our other outlets in the future."

The chain, which runs 2,000 pubs nationwide, also owns the Duke of Wellington, Half Moon, New Inn and O'Neills, in Durham.

Durham Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) branch chairman Ken Weaver said last night: "This comes as quite a shock. The pub occupies a prominent position on the A167 and has always been popular for its food and drink.

"We would question the motives behind the sale. Camra's idea of viability is somewhat different to the big companies. Sometimes, it is not sufficient just to make a profit. It is another example of outlying pubs being under threat."

He said there were other pubs in the area that had provided stiff competition to the Cock o' the North, including the revamped Duke of Wellington and the re-opened Bridge pub. A Durham City Council spokesman confirmed that an outline planning application had been lodged with planning officers, seeking permission to demolish the pub to make way for houses.

He said: "It is very much at a preliminary stage."

A spokesman for Shepherd Homes said the company had yet to complete the purchase.

She said the company was in talks with planning officers at the city council.