In the first case of its kind in Hertsmere, Aldenham Parish Council has taken the next step towards purchasing the only remaining pub in its village.

A written request has been submitted from the parish council to Hertsmere Borough Council, stating that it would like to be considered as a potential bidder for The Three Horseshoes, in Letchmore Heath.

This means that the owners of the pub on The Green cannot sell the property to anyone other than the community interest group until Tuesday, December 10.

The community interest group has until this time to put together a bid.

After that time, the 400-year-old building may be sold to whomever the owners choose.

Aldenham Parish Council manager, Peter Evans, said the council felt it was important to register themselves as a potential bidder for the pub as it could become a real community asset.

Mr Evans said: "We are quite excited about it because it shows we’re telling people that we’re here to support the local parishioners in what they want."

He added: "This is a fairly unusual situation and I think we are one of the very few councils who have put in a community right to bid. And it’s so important because it’s the only pub in the village, and it’s something that could become a real community asset."

After December 10, the pub’s owners can dispose of the pub as they wish, without having to give first refusal to a community interest group.

The pub is the only community facility in the village, and was listed as an asset of community value by Hertsmere Borough Council in May, following a nomination from the parish council.

The borough council was told by the pub’s owners that they wished to sell the premises, yet the interim moratorium prevented any sale of the pub for six weeks to allow community interest groups to submit a request to be treated as potential bidders.

Councillor Dr Harvey Cohen, Hertsmere’s portfolio holder for planning and localism, said: "This is an exciting development for the residents of Letchmore Heath and, I’ve no doubt, will be of huge interest to others in the borough."

Councillor Cohen said that, now the full moratorium has been triggered, it is "just the next step on a long road", with now being the time that the real work begins for those parties interested.

Another community interest group has registered themselves as a potential bidder for The Three Horseshoes, yet Mr Evans said the two groups are not trying to "outbid" one another.

In fact, they will be co-ordinating with each other over the next few months as each tries to pull their funds together in time.

Looking ahead at how the parish council might fund such an undertaking, Mr Evans said they would look into government grants that are available and look towards other fundraising opportunities in order to keep the pub as an integral part of the community.