Despite a campaign by customers to save it, six new homes are now being built on the site of a former pub in Abingdon which closed after struggling for a number of years.

In 2014 it was hoped that the Cross Keys could be saved after brewers Greene King sold the pub to investment company Hawthorn Leisure.

But the pub in Ock Street, which dated back to the 17th century, struggled to compete with the Narrows pub run by Wetherspoons in High Street and it closed last year.

Large banners have now been draped on the outside of the building advertising the new homes.

Abingdon-based estate agent Andrew Topping, of Breckon & Breckon, said work on five one-bedroom apartments and a one-bedroom house was now under way.

He added: "We are selling the homes for Philip Crowther Developments and it's a conversion of the existing building rather than demolition.

"You couldn't miss our banner on the outside of the building and it has already created a lot of interest.

"The original building is being reconfigured for the flats and the house is being built on the back of it.

"There's an area at the side where all the skips can be sited, so there will be very little disruption.

"The project is due for completion as early as October or November."

Abingdon county councillor Neil Fawcett said: "Planning permission was granted earlier this year and the town does need new housing.

"I think new homes can be the best option if a pub closes - I would certainly rather see that than a chain supermarket opening.

"It's unfortunate that the pub had to close in the first place but the market for pubs has changed as people's lifestyles have changed.

"Abingdon still has some good pubs including the Brewery Tap, the King's Head and Bell and the Crown and Thistle and there has been a lot of investment in some of towns pubs in recent years.

"There's a good range too with Wetherspoons at one end and the Crown and Thistle at the other."

Town council leader Mike Badcock said: "Drinkers campaigned to save the pub, which was run as a sports bar, but not enough people had been using it."

He added: "At least the homes will be more affordable than some, and that will help some young people to get on the property ladder."

Abingdon town historian Jackie Smith said earlier that town records suggested there had been a pub on the site since the 1680s.

The Giddens, a family of innkeepers, owned the building at that time, and it was first called The Cross Keys in 1854.

In the late 19th century it was one of seven Morrells pubs in Abingdon, owned by the brewing family who lived in Culham.