People were left shocked when bulldozers rolled up to a loved community pub and began an unauthorised demolition.

The Battle of Britain pub in Coldharbour Road, Gravesend, has a pending planning application for flats to be built on the premises, but that is yet to be considered and decided on by Gravesham council.

But bulldozers turned up to the site today and workers began destroying it.

Watch: The Battle of Britain pub is demolished

Concerned neighbours alerted the council and an officer visited the site to halt the action.

A council spokesman said: "A planning application has been put in for flats, as has an application notice to demolish, but has neither of these things have been determined.

"An officer has been to the site and further investigations into the safety of the building are underway. The report from that will clarify what can now be done."

Angela Hall, 41, of Packham Road, said: “The building is a part of history as well as being a meeting place for many locals and families, popular for its large garden and children's play area, restaurant, live music and its support of the ellenor hospice who hold their fundraising events here.

"I'm shocked by this news and disgusted with Brakespear brewery!”

She has always lived in Gravesend but has been living in the Coldharbour area for the past 18 years.

She used to go there with her children, who are now grown up, and her dog. She particularly enjoyed the Rock and Roll themed evenings.

She said: “Everyone would come, it really was a community pub and had a nice feel about it especially as it had a children’s play area out the back.”

“It was a family place and there is nowhere else around here like it, it’s a real shame and a shame it’s lost the community feel.”

Despite people's love for the pub, the building is not listed, is not in a conservation area, and no request to list is as a community asset has been received by the council.

The pub's manager Phil Davies and Brakspear Brewery have been contacted for a comment.