A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help save a village pub and restaurant after its owners announced its sudden closure, citing financial challenges.

Bosses at the Horse and Groom in Rollesby, near Great Yarmouth, announced it would be closing its doors to all eat-in trade on Friday.

Owners Sarah and Paul Longley said they had reluctantly taken the decision after receiving a large council tax bill for an unused section of the premises, which they were unable to pay.

The £3,000 bill was the "straw that broke the camel's back" for the husband-and-wife duo, who had struggled to remain open through the winter months due to dwindling trade.

A member of staff named Tayla has since set up a campaign on crowdfunding site, GoFundMe, to raise the £3,000 needed for the unexpected bill. 

On the campaign website, Tayla said: "Having been behind the scenes I have watched as Sarah and Paul went through thick and thin and put their whole lives into their dream in Rollesby.

"They produce fabulous food from scratch and do what they can to listen to the public and what the public wants to make this community hub a place people love and want to come to.

"The pub isn’t just a regular olden day pub - it's a place where people meet, where friends are made, and who I could even say are family."

The petition has so far raised more than half of its goal in just under 24 hours, with donations of more than £1,750.

Four people have donated £100 each, and more than 10 people have donated £50, lending hope that the pub might be able to pay the council tax bill and remain open.

The closure of the Horse and Groom is the latest in a series to hit the hospitality sector in recent weeks.

Since the start of the year, an average of one per week has closed its doors in Norfolk.