THE sale of a former pub could spell its death knell.

The Starkie Arms, in Tonge Moor Road, has been sold by commercial property agents Trevor Dawson, to an undisclosed purchaser, who it is thought has plans to develop the half-acre site.

The move could result in the demolition of the once popular pub, which was closed down by its previous owners brewers Weston Castle, on May 31, last year.

Listed as a ‘former public house with upper floor living accommodation’, bids were invited for the red-brick building. The property, at the junction of Tonge Moor Road and Thicketford Road, was described as a ‘substantial two-storey brick built building of traditional construction beneath a pitched tiled roof on a substantial site’.

A spokesman for the property agent said: "The purchaser is unwilling to be named but is likely to be considering redevelopment of the site."