MORE than 1,000 West Ham fans, angry at plans to demolish a popular pub, protested before the Hammers' game against Sheffield United on Saturday November 25.

The Queens has long been a favourite destination for a pre-match pint for fans visiting the Hammers' Upton Park ground.

But under plans for the controversial revamp of Queen's Market, the pub in Green Street will be demolished.

On Saturday November 25 the Friends of Queen's Market (FoQM) campaign group collected 1,030 signatures in two hours before kick-off and fans staged a protest outside the pub.

A pub spokesman said: "Fans in particular had not heard about this and were very angry. Many had been coming here before matches for 20 or more years.

"They are taking everything away now. Where are we supposed to get a drink when there is a match? It is just about money."

Among the customers protesting was Tom Patrick, of nearby Harold Road.

Mr Patrick, 48, is also collecting signatures from football fans against the plans.

He said: "I don't think the Boleyn pub or the Duke of Edinburgh will be able to cope with all the extra fans if the Queens is demolished.

"The Queens has been here a long time and the regulars are all really friendly.

"And you also have to think of the old age pensioners who drink in here as well. For some of them it is as far as they can walk."

Property developer St Modwen said that it intends to negotiate the sale of the pub with its owners, the Scottish and Newcastle brewery.

If negotiations fail a compulsory purchase order may be made to force through the acquisition of the site.

FoQM's campaign co-ordinator John Peasnall said the pub is also an important building with many architectural details.

He said: "It is worrying that so many buildings like this are being swept away throughout the borough."

St Modwen's director of development Nick Kay said: "The revised plans for the regeneration of Queen's Market were well received at the three-day public exhibition in October."