The Wickbourne Swan in Clun Road closed just days before Christmas, joining the Steam Packet and the Locomotive, both in Terminus Road, which last served drinkers two or three months ago.

The closures reflect a national trend highlighted earlier this year by the Campaign for Real Ale, which warned that 56 pubs, mostly in urban area, were shutting down permanently every month.

Pub chain Admiral Taverns, which owns the Steam Packet and the Wickbourne Swan, says it is seeking landlords for both pubs, but there seems little prospect of the Locomotive reopening — Arun District Council is now considering a planning application for 14 flats to be built on the site.

Paul Crease, chairman of Littlehampton Pubwatch, and landlord of the Arun View, a near-neighbour of the Steam Packet, said it had been a difficult year in the industry, with the smoking ban particularly hitting "traditional drinking pubs" such as the Locomotive, Steam Packet and the Wickbourne Swan.

He hoped the latter two would be closed for only a short time, and had heard of interest in both of them.

Arun councillor for Ham ward, Tony Squires, said the closure of the Wickbourne Swan was "really, really sad".

He added: "A part of the community has gone from the Wickbourne estate, but hopefully it will open again."

Landlady Val Cooper had been running the pub single-handedly since her husband, Mick, died two years ago. The couple raised many thousands of pounds for good causes with special events at the pub and in 2000, when Mr Squires was town mayor, received a Littlehampton Town Council merit award for their charitable work.

A spokeswoman for pub operator Admiral Taverns told the Gazette: "We are currently seeking new landlords for both the Wickbourne Swan and the Steam Packet in Littlehampton and would love to hear from anyone that is interested in running either of these pubs."

Arun planners are considering proposals by Owl Bay Estates to build four two-bedroom and 10 one-bedroom flats in a three/four storey block on the site of the Locomotive.

Three letters have been received by the council from people living in nearby roads who are objecting to the plans on the grounds that there is no parking provided in the scheme, and who fear that the area will become even more congested.
Pubs lost permanently in the Gazette area in recent years include the Britannia at Littlehampton, the Newburgh Arms at Slindon and the Three Crowns at East Preston.

* Anyone who would like more information from Admiral Taverns about the Steam Packet or the Wickbourne Swan should visit the website www.admiraltaverns.com or telephone 01923 726367.