PLANS to turn yet another pub into a housing development have been greeted with dismay by pub campaigners who claim there has been a dramatic decline in the number of neighbourhood pubs across Harrow.

A fortnight ago, the Times revealed that Punch Taverns, owners of the Orange Tree in Pinner Green, was seeking outline planning permission to demolish the pub and build a block of flats ion the site.

Now, in another blow to "mature", Harrow Council has received an application for permission to convert the historic King's Head in Harrow-on-the-Hill into 15 apartments.

"This is terrible news for everyone who likes a good drink," said Peter Wicks of the West Middlesex branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), which launched its first pub awareness week on Monday.

Camra research reveals a gloomy picture for pub lovers. In the last two-and-a-half-years, 380 pubs have closed in Greater London, of which 47 per cent have been lost forever: 61 have been demolished, while others have been converted to other businesses or for residential use. The remainder are boarded-up, but are unlikely to re-open as pubs, including the King's Head.

"Although a number of new pubs and bars are opening, there are not sufficient openings to make up for the losses," Mr Wicks said. "In the last six months alone in outer London, we saw 10 pubs close and only six open. Variety and choice is being eroded."

Mr Wicks was particularly concerned because both the Orange Tree and the King's Head were frequented by drinkers aged 25 and over, who would be less willing to visit pubs with a younger clientele.

"Camra is concerned because the losses are biased towards young drinkers," he said. "New openings are often bars on high streets, guarded by bouncers. It is neighbourhood pubs that are often responsible for keeping a sense of local community. We cannot underestimate their importance."

Camra is hosting socials meeting at the Fat Controller and the Moon-on-the-Hill in Station Road, Harrow, at 8.30pm tonight (Thursday). For further information, call Mr Wicks on 020 7273 8463.