A much-loved community pub will call last orders later this month as it shuts its doors for the final time.

The Emma Hamilton in Wimbledon Chase will close on August 16 and a group of regulars raised a glass to the doomed boozer during a final farewell drink on Saturday.

The gathering included Karin Flower, who has been a customer for 16 years.

She said: "There’s no other local like it - it’s a family pub. When you walk into that pub, everyone knows everyone - and they welcome new people."

Drinkers were told of the Kingston Road pub’s closure about eight weeks ago. It opened in 1962 and is named after the notorious socialite and mistress of Lord Nelson who lived in nearby Merton Park.

In March a short film, Jeff’s Motto, was shot at the pub by local group Sutton Film Makers.

About 100 cast and crew members descended on the pub to create the 10-minute feature about struggling musicians desperate to get a gig.

After the shoot, director Mike Gould said: “The Emma Hamilton has been absolutely brilliant about this. The landlord just said yes and loaned me the function room for free. You couldn’t have wished for a nicer guy.”

Pub owner Punch Taverns PLC would not comment on the future of the building, or who it had been sold to.

A spokesman for the company said: "Following a review of our estate, a decision was taken to sell the Emma Hamilton to a third party. The keys will be handed over on the 16th August. We are no longer in a position to comment on the future of the pub."