Pub campaigners claim a popular watering hole was put on the market without the licensees being given prior warning.

Tony Harding and Kelly Bermingham took over The Rose and Crown in Maldon High Street in April.

But a member of Maldon and Dengie branch of the Campaign for Real Ale saw it was on the market on an estate agents website last week.

Chris Harvey, pub liaison officer for the branch, said Mr Harding and Miss Bermingham found out through an estate agent, not Punch Taverns, which owns the pub.