A west Wales landlord, who was forced to fund the pub with his own money due to a lack of trade, has expressed his shock and anger over local objections to his plans to close.

Mark Sanders, owner of the Welcome Inn at Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire, applied to change the use of the premises from a pub to a house after customer numbers dwindled to just a few a night.

Over the winter there are too many nights sitting here on my own waiting for someone to come in

Mark Sanders, landlord

But was shocked when 29 letters, objecting to the closure of the pub, were sent from local villagers.

"People seem to think it is a public utility, they expect pubs to be open all day and all night, but when it's run by only one person you just can't do it," said Mr Sanders.

"Year on year with diminishing trade you've got to ask yourself how much longer you can keep going for.

"A lot of people who objected don't come in here.

Not enough support for local pubs

"There was one person who objected and he hasn't been in here this year.

"Over the winter there are too many nights sitting here on my own waiting for someone to come in," he added.

Planning officials from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park have granted permission for the pub to change use despite the objections.

Mr Sanders decided to cut his losses after running the pub for the past nine years.

He blamed a series of local disasters for the fall in trade including the foot-and-mouth outbreak, the Sea Empress oil spill, the closure of Pembroke power station and the departure of German troops from a nearby army camp.

"There is minimal and declining local support for a public house in the village," he said.

'Dead donkey'

"Only a handful of households from the village use the establishment on a weekly basis, many only use it on New Year's Eve or if there is a do on.

"There is no support from the nearby army camp since the Germans have left and trade from surrounding villages is non-existent due to the tightening up of drink driving laws.

"We're flogging a dead donkey. We've got half a dozen people who really use the place but most people don't come in here.

"Most rural pubs tick over in the winter and make their money during the summer but there's no where for anyone to stay here and we just don't get the trade."