SEATON Town Council is no longer pursuing plans to buy the former Winstons pub, because it does not have time to raise the necessary funding.

SEATON Town Council is no longer pursuing plans to buy the former Winstons pub, because it does not have time to raise the necessary funding.

The pub, in Harbour Road, is expected to be put up for auction on February 25.

The town council had planned to discuss the possible purchase of the pub with residents at a meeting on January 30.

But the event was cancelled when it emerged the council would only have six weeks to raise funds.

Mayor Sandra Semple said: "The timing just doesn't work out.

"It's a pity that we weren't able to take up the suggestion of the people who were interested in it but, at least, it helps us to work out better where our options are.

"We have to concentrate on options that we have got.

"It will be interesting to see who it [Winstons] does go to."

The council had announced at their monthly meeting on January 18 that they wanted to gauge whether there was support in the town for the purchase.

The alternative was to concentrate on youth and community facilities at the Elizabeth Road Playing Fields.

However, councillors spoke to agents the following day and realised they would only have six weeks to get the money together.