A group of regulars has launched a petition after their favourite pub was closed by flooding months ago and failed to reopen.

The pumps have remained dry at the White Admiral in Taunton Road, Lower Bevendean, since the deluge last year.

Pub owner Inn Business boarded up the property after it was swamped with water and mud and it has remained closed.

The popular boozer was featured in one of television's historic comic moments when it was used as the set for the Nag's Head in Only Fools and Horses. Del Boy and Rodney set up their bottled water outlet from a natural spring which then dried up.

Regulars now fear their favourite watering hole may never reopen and the land - owned by Brighton and Hove Council - may be earmarked for housing.

Seven of them have launched a petition to get the council and Inn Business to reopen the pub.

Father-of-two Peter Mack, of Bodiam Avenue, helped collect 600 signatures from residents in six hours at the weekend.

He said: "We have heard rumours the place is going to be sold off and turned into homes.

"It's a community venue. There will be more drink-driving if it doesn't open because the nearest pub is miles away."

A spokesman for the Punch Pub Company, which runs Inn Business, said: "We have been actively looking for a tenant for the pub for at least three years so we don't have plans to close it."

He said there were plans to refurbish the building with a new public bar, function room, restaurant, beer garden and outdoor play area.