Owners of the Midmar Inn, David Cooper and Debi Begg, have submitted plans to Aberdeenshire Council to change the use of the building - classed as part public, part private residence - to residential and to build an extension.

The Piper revealed in October how the pub had mysteriously closed its doors without warning or explanation by the owners, who then went on holiday, leaving regulars confused and angry.

Customers told the Piper at the time that the couple had stated their intention for the pub to become a house.

The Friends of Midmar Inn action group was formed to represent the views of the community and customers of the inn whilst its future was decided.

They launched the Save the Midmar Inn website, to allow people to make comments on the closure and leave feedback.

Margot Kennedy, from the Friends of Midmar Inn, helped collect hundreds of signatures on a petition against the pub's change of use.

"We were expecting it (the application) and knew it was in the pipeline", she said. "If it is approved, we've lost a facility for the community.

"Since the pub closed, I honestly have been out a lot less and there are people I haven't seen and I miss it. Everybody has to be encouraged to write their own individual letters of objection".

Gordon Hamilton, a regular for 29 years, added: "We're going to object to the change of use, as the aims of the Friends of Midmar is to see the place back as a pub.

"We realised this was what would happen, as that's what they want to do with the pub. This is happening in rural village pubs in England, where people are buying them for knock-down prices and shutting them down - it's a trend.

"We've had discussions with CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and they have a series of tests that a pub can do to see if it's viable. The owners are saying 'the place isn't viable so we're turning it into a house'. Evidence round about it shows they are viable and it depends on how they run it. It should be sold on as a pub, it was bought as a pub.

"We've even thought could we do a community buy-out, if that's the only option, although we're not that keen to do that - maybe get someone to run it and secure the place for the community?"

When it closed, regulars at the pub, which was originally a shop but which has been an inn for more than 100 years, were concerned it would never re-open and they would be left without a local.

Ms Begg and Mr Cooper took over the inn - which has a 35-seat restaurant and lounge, bar area and pool room - in October 2004. Their intention at the time was to build on its reputation as a real ale pub. They also hoped to attract new custom from Aberdeen.

The couple were unavailable for comment when contacted by the Piper this week.