The popular Wepre Inn in Connah's Quay closed its doors to regulars on Sunday night, becoming the latest in a long line of Flintshire pubs to be faced with the same fate.

But before the premises had been closed for 24 hours, vandals attacked its doors and windows in a bid to break in.

Manager Terry Price said: "Whoever it was tried to get inside the office and smashed the window, but it had bars on it so they could not get in.

"Then they had tried smashing the back door, but this is tightly bolted, so they smashed a couple of other windows.

"No-one has managed to get in, but someone obviously heard that the pub is closed and it just seems like they have done this for the sake of smashing things. It's a real shame."

The future of the large building, which stands on Wepre Lane and is both a pub and residential accommodation, now looks uncertain.

For the next few weeks, it will join the ranks of pubs across the county which have been left abandoned, after their landlords opted to throw in the towell.

Mr Price added: "I really am gutted that the pub has closed and wish it hadn't had to happen.

"It is a shame that so many pubs in the area are closing at the moment. These establishments have been the hub of communities for many years and they seem to be going to waste.

"I hope the Wepre Inn reopens for the residents in the future and I hope to see them all soon for a drink."

Back in August, publicans across Flintshire spoke to the Leader about the problems the battles they were facing against rising rents, sky high utility bills and the effects of the smoking ban.

In a particularly bleak prediction, one landlord even claimed the industry could be 'finished'.

Cllr Bernie Attridge, head of Flintshire Council's licensing committee, has called for urgent intervention from both national and the Welsh Assembly Government to help struggling pubs.

He said: "This news has come as a shock. The Wepre Inn has been open for many years and I have personally used it.

"It serves a big population and it is a vital local facility that residents will no longer have.

"The government should be offering some sort of help to these struggling businesses in the same way they did for post offices and I am calling for urgent intervention in these uncertain economic times.

"I think the closure of the Wepre Inn will be the first of many in the near future."