A PUB which is on the brink of closure will see in Christmas thanks to the support of its regulars.

Drinkers will be able to celebrate the season’s festivities at The Cotton Tree, in Withington, after the heating was turned off six weeks ago.

They even brought in electric heaters and logs for the open fire to try and keep their local up and running.

The licensees at the pub fear they will have to close after racking up debts to a gas company totalling £1,500 and £12,000 to owners Punch Taverns.

Faced with the prospect of eviction, landlady Sue Holland has been through even more emotional turmoil after her mother died suddenly last week.

But she says the thought of staying open over the Christmas period has been giving the family some comfort.

Sue, 48, who had to move out of the flat above the pub when her 11-year-old son became ill from the cold, said: "The past week has been really hard and the death of my mother has made matters so much worse.

"But the customers have been so supportive and have been sending kind messages to the family. It is still ticking along and it is only down to all the wonderful customers that we have been able to stay open this long.

"They are a fantastic bunch and I want to thank them all. We used to have entertainment in the evenings, but even when we had to cancel that they carried on coming. They are very resilient and are happy making their own entertainment as long as they can still come to their local."

Sue, her husband Craig, and children Ian, 21 and James, 11, have been at the Cotton Lane pub since February.

They have spent £60,000 on refurbishments, redecorating and a new boiler, but the family had to move out when their gas meter was taken out six weeks ago.

The pub, which had been shut down until they moved in ten months ago, has suffered heavily from the economic downturn and a dwindling trade.

Sue said: "We’ve done all we can to make it a warm and welcoming place, so once we get past Christmas we will just have to take each day as it comes."

Punch Taverns say they are doing all they can to help The Cotton Tree boost trade and develop financial stability.