Yet another twist in the tale of the Prince of Wales Inn has unfolded after the current owner of the pub came forward to say no deal has been agreed, as had been reported by a community group in the Packet last week.

The Friends of the Prince of Wales, Newtown St Martin Inn, a community group fighting to take over the pub from its current owners and keep it within the community, had announced that they were: "Pleased to report that the owners of the Prince of Wales Pub in Newtown have agreed, under certain terms, to sell the pub to the community."

However, the owners have said no deal has yet been agreed and conversations concerning a share offer from the community group have reportedly only included the group themselves, local Cornwall councillor Guy Foreman, and the parish council.

The owners of the Prince of Wales, at Newtown St Martin, told the Packet that they have received no new offer from the group and also had not accepted one.

They have suggested, however, that they would be open to offers from other community groups should there be an interest.

The Friends community group, who have previously said they were in a good position to raise the money required, have asked that people interested in buying share in the pub contact them through their website: www.friendsoftheprinceofwales.org or join the Friends of The Prince of Wales, Newtown St Martin group on Facebook.

The current owners of the pub have applied for planning permission to build two bungalows in what is currently the pub’s car park, as well as an application for a change of use into a dwelling.

Both decisions were refused.