Campaigners in a rural Powys community say they have fears for the future of a "lifeline" country pub.

The Star Inn(Y Star) in Dylife, between Machynlleth and Llanidloes, went up for sale in February after previous owners Gareth and Karen Jones decided to call it quits after nearly five years running the business.

Now local resident Arwel Griffiths has contacted Powys County Council's planning enforcement department, saying the historic inn's signage has been taken down by new owners amid fears the business may not reopen.

"The pub was an active pub before it was sold.

"People living on their own will go in there for a meal and a chat, people need social activities and they need contact with people especially after covid.

"This is a special time to have community facilities staying open - it's come at a really bad time because we're all had enough of covid and hopefully we're going back to some sort of normality and of course going down to the pub would be a starting point for many people."

Prior to the pandemic, the 17th Century pub was a popular stop-off for walkers on the Glyndwr Way and Cambrian Path trails and has even attracted celebrities like Cerys Matthews and the late Terry Jones.

The entry for Y Star on Google Business shows it as "Permanently closed", and the pub's telephone number has been disconnected.

Mr Williams believes the loss of the pub would be a further blow to the community, which was once a thriving mining community of more than 1,000 people.

At the height of the lead mining industry in the 19th Century, there were four inns, several chapels, a church and a school - which have now nearly all disappeared.

"There's four businesses in the village who all have packages with the Star Inn, before they used to send them up for a meal and now they're having to cater for them so there's a knock-on effect."

A message on the Star Inn website from the previous owners posted last year thanked their loyal customers and committed staff.

"After a very happy but incredibly busy 4.5 years running Y Star Inn, we have decided that it is time for us to move on and focus on other ventures.

"We will miss your company but we leave with many happy memories of our time with you all."