A PUBLIC inquiry to decide the fate of an historic Southampton pub was packed to the rafters after campaigners turned up in huge numbers.

So many members of the public turned up that some were forced to stand outside the room as the inquiry into The Bittern pub got underway.

McDonald's wants to demolish the Thornhill Park Road pub and turn it into a two-story restaurant and the fast food giant has appealed after Southampton City Council rejected the plans.

City MP John Denham was among those appearing in support of the pub, which is owned by Punch Taverns and has been open since the 1930s.

Mr Denham told the inquiry: "This is a very unusual pub - it is popular and provides a focal point for the community and the service it provides is irreplaceable.

"Many pubs in my constituency have gone but this is the only one that has attracted such a large support, such as has been demonstrated this morning."

Government-appointed inspector Lloyd Rodgers is chairing the inquiry, which is expected to take at least two days due to the amount of nearby residents who wish to air their views.

At one point Mr Rodgers was forced to calm down the crowd when they interrupted McDonald's representative James Pereira QC as he made his opening speech.

Mr Pereira set out a number of objections to the city council's decision, highlighting areas including the debated viability of the pub.

He said: "There is no information before me and there's no evidence of substance to suggest that the Bittern will continue as a pub."