Sir Edward Heath often enjoyed a pint in the thatched 16th Century Appletree Inn in Wiltshire.

But the former Prime Minister's favourite drinking hole, in the village of Morgan's Vale, burned down in 2003.

The white walled pub, a former cider house built in an ancient orchard, had to be demolished for fear it would collapse.

But support is growing for the Appletree Inn to be rebuilt.

Villagers set up a website and created a Friends of the Appletree Inn group to give Morgan's Vale back its pub.

Michael Dunne, who runs the Lamb at Ringwood in Hampshire, is applying for permission to build a new pub.

Residents have seen off two plans to build houses, but another for five large homes is being developed.

Salisbury District Council earlier rejected the housing plan, but will not oppose it at appeal. It said market forces will dictate the decision.

Morgan's Vale parish councillor, Lorraine Pallas, said the village does not need new houses.

"The Appletree Inn was an important part of this village and people here badly miss it," she said.

"It was well used, both by local people and those from other areas. Edward Heath came from Salisbury to enjoy a drink there.

"Feeling here is strong that a new Appletree Inn should be rebuilt on the site. The community needs it.

"What it doesn't need is five new houses which no-one in the village could afford to buy."

Fellow campaigner John Lawrence said: "The whole community has expressed their views over the last five years that they'd like to see a new pub replace the Appletree.

"It was the centre of our little community and is very much missed. It had a darts team, quiz nights – all the things that became part of village life. We held wakes there."

Mr Lawrence said a new pub would not make a fortune, but would be key to the sustainability of Morgan's Vale.

Salisbury councillors argued that the pub was vital rural facility central to the village's economic and social life and should be re-built to continue in that role.

But the argument could not be presented because the building no longer existed.

The Wiltshire council is expected to approve the pub plan, letting "market forces decide what would be developed".