The owner of a village pub is backing a campaign to buy it - claiming he had been left with no choice but to close it.

Tim Weir, who shut the doors on The Salutation Inn, in Irthington, last May, is supporting the steering group who want to save it.

"I hope they do [manage to buy the pub]. The very best of luck to them," said Mr Weir, who has owned and run the pub for 11 years. 

"Some sort of multi-purpose facility may well work, with volunteers. However, as a pub and restaurant, I'm not sure."

A packed out meeting in Newtown Village Hall on Monday confirmed the strength of support, when more than 80 villagers turned out to hear how they could buy the pub.

Emma Skelton, a member of the steering committee which hosted the meeting, said it was "phenomenal" to see everyone in the room raise their hands in support of the idea.

"It's enough for us to go and look at it seriously, put a load of hard work in and get it up and running," she said.

"It's just really exciting because you know at the end of it you're going to have, potentially, something that's there for the community, it's going to be a massive benefit and bring everyone together.

"What we wanted people to see is that it's something that's well thought out. We might not have all the answers but there's a proper model that can really work here.

"[The cooperative model] has worked 40 times and there's no reason that it won't work here. It's the first time Irthington's done it but it's not the first time it's happened."

Emma added: "Although it is new for us and it's a real step in the dark, it's completely possible.

"If we don't do it. We know now what we'll have lost."

An application to register the pub as a community asset has been submitted. This would give them six weeks to put a bid forward and a further four-and-a-half months to raise about £190,000, most of which would be raised through shares.

Initial pledges from those at the meeting already total about £50,000, with further offers of support from those unable to attend. Emma said there is every chance they could raise enough to make a successful bid.

They will now establish a board and become an industrial and provident society to move forward with the idea.

Gary Etheridge (CORR) misses the pub since it closed and is "definitely" willing to invest. The 56-year-old, of nearby Bleatarn, said: "I think it's a really good idea. I think it's a really good thing for the village and I would like to get involved as much as possible."

Phillip and Lorraine Gallacher (CORR) have just moved to Newtown. They were keen to show their support and said they would be prepared to buy shares. 

"I think it's a really good idea," said Phillip, 51. "I don't see any reason why not."

In a recent questionnaire, 88 per cent of respondents said the pub was important to the community. There was a high emphasis on locals wanting to retain a food offering in the pub, with others suggesting incorporating post office services and a community shop. 

A family friendly feel was prevalent with the suggestion of a children's play area.

Mr Weir, who now caters at Brampton Golf Club, said he had no choice but to close the pub, though he still misses it. 

"I'd lost too much money over the last two to three years. It was a sad day to close," he said. 

"It is a shame. I saw five landlords come and go at the Sportsman in Laversdale. The Stag [at Crosby-on-Eden] has gone the same way and Walton is still closed. There's a common denominator there."

He continued: "People's lifestyles and social habits have changed over the last 10 years, demand is limited and with supermarkets, local government and breweries dictating the price, it really makes difficult to make it a viable proposition."

The Sportsman in Laversdale, the next nearest pub, was sold in November and planning permission submitted to turn it into homes. It has been registered as a community asset in case current plans fall through.

Villagers heard from Julian Ross, chairman of The Old Crown, the first pub co-operative at Hesket Newmarket, which paved the way for other communities 13 years ago. 

Dave Hollings (CORR) , of CMS, which provides consultancy support for co-operatives and community enterprises, was also on hand to answer questions. He is involved with a co-operative pub in Lancashire.

There are 40 community-owned pubs across the country with four in Cumbria.

Villagers are also looking to form co-operatives to buy The Stag Inn, at Crosby-on-Eden and The Bridge Inn near Penton. 

The Bridge Inn, which has been on the market for more than two years, has been registered as a community asset.