Campaigners trying to get a pub at the “heart of a village” reopened have been told they will have to stump up more than £1.2million to buy it.

The site owner of The Flying Saucer in Hempstead is understood to have named his asking price.

And he is also believed to have requested they show their intentions as soon as possible as there are other interested parties at the table.

When the brewery Greene King announced it was closing the boozer in May, it sparked a wave of protest among residents and regulars who said it wasn’t just a place to grab a drink but was a vital social hub.

A steering group was formed and, as a result, Medway Council classified the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) which protects it from redevelopment or a change of use for five years.

They now have now got until October 28 to decide if they want to make a bid, and if so, have six months to stump up the cash.

In agreeing to the six-month reprieve the authority has recognised the pub’s positive impact on residents’ well-being and the valued social interest it provides.

So far between £600,00 and £650,000 has been put forward through grants, loans and more than 200 pledges.

Lead campaigners, ward councillor Jim Gilbourne and long-term resident Bev Weir have approached the Plunkett Foundation, a charity which offers free advice to community businesses for help and support on legal matters and how to successfully bid for funding.

Following the ACV news, those behind the battle to get the beer flowing at the hostelry, which has been serving customers since the 1950s, are urging supporters to keep up the momentum.

Bev Weir said out of 450 people who completed a questionnaire, 94% wanted it to reopen.

She told supporters: “You all voiced what you wanted to see in your pub, but unfortunately only 55 people have pledged shares.

“If we can’t raise sufficient funds from the community - and from outside - we can’t apply for funding or grants, so the pub closes..

“Please don’t be complacent thinking others will do it, they won’t.”

The owner is now understood to have offered the pub, patio area, part of the garden, some of the car park park and outside storage areas in the price.

Meetings are to be held at 10.30am and 11.30am on Saturday October 12 at Hempstead Library.

Many have offered their services, from practical repairs and building work to IT and accountancy skills, with the slogan “Let’s get the saucer flying again”.

Bev and ward councillor Jim Gilbourne have been in contact via email with the freeholder and have visited two other ACV pubs in the county, The Harrow at Stockbury and The Plough at Trottiscliffe, to see how they work.

A spokesman for Greene King previously told KentOnline: “Closing a pub is never an easy decision, so it is with great regret that we have decided to close.

“The property will be returned to the freeholder and our focus will remain on supporting our team members at this time.”

Bev Weir, who has lived in Hempstead for 40 years, added: “The pub is at the heart of the old village of Hempstead.

“It’s where the elderly get together, where people go to catch up and it’s left a big hole in their lives.”