Campaigners in a Moray village have held a vigil for a former hotel which was a focal point of the community for more than 150 years.
Demolition crews are due to move on to the site of the Tennant Arms in Lhanbryde this week to knock it down and make way for a convenience store.
Locals have fought the proposals since they first emerged nearly three years ago.
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Yesterday, residents gathered outside the Victorian bar, which has stood since 1854, to say their final farewells to the landmark which closed its doors for the last time in 2014.
Passionate pleas were made in an attempt to save the historic structure with more than 250 people signing a petition opposing the shop plans.
However, Moray Council backed the demolition plans due to the proposals of the replacement building being similar in design.
Last night, Lhanbryde resident George Herraghty feared the new Co-op store could “wipe out” existing local businesses.
He said: “The village is mourning for the loss of an old friend. We have been dismally let down by the planning system.
“The finest, most handsome, historic building in the whole village is about to be flattened to make way for yet another retail outlet that we neither want or need.
“What’s more, the destruction of what could be the beating heart of the village destroys what potential we might have had to revive a social outlet for the community.”
Fellow resident Gill Stewart added: “I’ve been told that some of the original stone will be used in the new building. It’s not what we wanted, but it’s better than there just being a shed put there in its place.”
Campaigners had hoped that developer Tahir Pervaiz would consider retaining the building after planning permission for the demolition was approved.
Hopes were initially raised when architects pledged to take another look at the plans before they were ruled out due to road safety legislation.
The Co-op expects the shop to be ready to open early next year.
A spokeswoman said: “The new store will create jobs for people living in the area and support local causes when it opens in the spring.”
