Regulars fear they will lose their favourite “family-orientated” pub after discovering it has mysteriously been sold.

Staff at The Happy Hour pub, in Eastbury Road, Watford, have confirmed they will be out of a job in four weeks when owners Mitchells and Butlers hand over the lease to the new buyers.

However, it is not yet known who will be taking it over.

More than 100 people have now signed a petition to save their local watering hole from potential closure.

Martin O’Donnoll has been a regular for 20 years and admitted a lot of older people will be “isolated” if the pub closes.

He said: “I have been drinking here for two decades. It is a big part of my life and it will be a shame to see it go.

“A lot of pensioners who live in the surrounding streets meet every day for lunch or a drink and it is their only way to socialise as they can’t travel very far on their own without a car. They will be isolated without the pub.”

Ryan Leneghan, who lives nearby in Green Lane, praised the pub for being “family-orientated”.

The 23-year-old said: “I feel very sad about the news as I have known this pub my whole life.

“I would come for lunch every Sunday with my family as a child and once I turned 18 and started drinking here, I met so many of my best friends.

“It means a lot to so many people in the community and it will feel like the end of an era.”

Kay Dunnicliffe is a former staff member and fears a closure will be a “big loss” to the community.

She said: “It is the only pub in the street and it is at the centre of the community. For some older people, it is their only way to socialise and meet their friends.

“It will be a big loss to the area if it goes.”

Roger Lancaster runs Watford Chess Club, which is comprised of 40 members aged from six to 15 who play at the pub every Sunday evening.

He added the news had been greeted with “consternation” by the town’s young chess players.

Mr Lancaster said: “Regular practice at The Happy Hour has been a key factor in establishing Watford among the leading junior clubs in this country.

“In fact, eighteen of our juniors will spend the coming weekend near Reading where they will battle against other national league teams representing much larger population-centres including Kent, Leicester, Manchester, Warwickshire and Wales.”

A spokesperson for Mitchells and Butlers said: "We constantly review our estate and from time to time take the decision to dispose of a business. 

"This is something we consider very carefully, and we can confirm that having placed the Happy Hour on the market we are currently progressing towards finalising a sale. 

"Presently we are consulting with the team at the business about the changes, and therefore are unable to make any further comment at this stage."

To sign the petition, visit: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-the-happy-hour-ph