A WELL-LOVED pub has become a "derelict eyesore" after being torn apart by vandals.

The Jack Russell pub in Salford Road, Marston, has been empty for seven months and in the past week the inside of the building has been tarnished with graffiti and gutted of its copper fittings.

Old Marston parish councillor and local resident Tony Greenfield said he thought security fencing should be installed around the site to prevent further damage.

He said: "There has been no security fencing placed around the site and it is now a dangerous place for the local youngsters who play in and around it.

"Any items of value have been stripped including copper piping and fittings, with glass strewn everywhere both inside and out.

"This once fine hostelry is turning into a derelict eyesore and a sad place - it's an ideal drug den in the making."

The future of the site is still hanging in the balance after an application to build flats was submitted at the end of last year.

This came after the pub was sold by brewery Greene King in October.

The proposed development would bring a three-storey building containing 16 flats to the site, plus 19 parking spaces.

But residents belonging to the Save the Jack Russell pub campaign still say the development would be "devastating" for local people and want to see a community building installed instead.

City councillor Mick Haines, who started the campaign, said: "I want to know what's being done and what steps are going to be taken to stop it from happening again.

"It's such a shame that this has happened because it was once a wonderful pub and a big part of the local community.

I'd like to see it be a pub again but if it can't be I want to see something for the community - even if it's just one room for them to go and enjoy and use to their leisure.

"We have barely anything around here for people to use as part of the community and putting up 16 or so flats won't help anything.

"It's just not the right place for yet more housing."

Spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police Connie Primmer said the force had received reports of antisocial behaviour at the building on May 11, 12 and 13.

She said: "An officer has spoken to the owner of the property about the problem and to give advice about making the building secure.

"The Neighbourhood Policing Team is monitoring the situation and we would ask residents to continue reporting incidents of antisocial behaviour to us via the 101 number so that we can review and take appropriate action."

It is believed workmen visited the site yesterday with a large amount of wooden sheeting to secure the safety of the site.