Campaigners fighting to save a popular pub were celebrating after councillors agreed to grant it community status.

The Trafalgar Arms, in Tooting High Street, Tooting, was sold to developers for £1.3m in July this year and immediatily closed.

Regular customers led a campaign to get the pub listed as a Asset of Community Value, which gives it more protection during planning procedures.

It means the community have the power to put in a bid for the pub if plans are put forward to develop it.

However, the campaign suffered a knock back last Monday when councillors rejected a bid to locally list the building, which would give it extra protection.

It is rumoured the venue, which has been operating as a pub since 1923, will be developed into flats.

Chris White, chairman of the campaign, said: "Now that we have demonstrated the level of community support for the pub we are in the best possible position to ensure that any future planning application accommodates the wishes of local residents."

Dan Watkins, pub campaigner, said: "We have lost several pubs in this part of Tooting in recent years, as developers look to acquire land on which to build flats.

"While we are supportive of building additional homes, it is crucial that some local amenities are kept so that Tooting remains a fun and vibrant place to live.

The pub is the second in Tooting to be given this status, following another campaign to protect The Wheatsheaf, in Tooting High Road.