A POPULAR country inn under threat from closure because it didn’t have enough space to seat diners looks set to saved.

Plans for a permanent extension have been drawn up at the Bay Horse Inn in West Woodburn, Northumberland.

If accepted, it will safeguard the listed 18th-Century inn from closure.

A glaring uPVC dining marquee attached to the outer wall which has kept the village inn going for almost three years was given a third and final stay of execution by the county’s planners last September.

Owners Greene King Pub Partners were told they had to replace the bright white marquee inside 12 months with a permanent extension more in keeping with the light stone of the main building.

Already granted two eight-month temporary licence extensions for the marquee in the previous two years, Greene King stalled over the cost of the work and asked for a further three-year stay.

But county council planners ran out of patience and imposed a September 2013 deadline for work to be done.

Now Greene King have finally come up with plans for an extension consisting of stone-and-slate roof and walls, painted softwood door and window frames, and cast iron internal finish.

A Greene King spokesman told The Journal: “In line with the council's requests, we have submitted a planning application to build a permanent extension to the Bay Horse Inn for when the marquee's licence expires.

“If approved, we hope this development will create more space for our customers to enjoy the excellent food and drink that the pub has to offer, as well as host special events.”

Tenant Hilda Wright's legendary hog roast Sunday lunches, served in the marquee, has pulled in the punters in droves.

But the vivid marquee – partly visible from the main A68 which passes through the west Northumberland village – drew a formal objection from a villager who branded it “a blot on the landscape”.

In response, 465 people signed a petition demanding the marquee – and the pub – be saved.

Greene King operations director Brian Bagnall admitted: “Without the marquee the current business would not be viable.

“We needed to find a sensible solution which also developed the pub and the community facility for the long term.

“Removal of the current marquee would remove vast numbers of food covers for summer and winter.”

The new plans will go before planners in the next month

– and now the race is on to beat the September deadline.