COUNCILLORS have called for urgent action to prevent a pub’s roof crumbling on to unsuspecting pedestrians below.

Fears have been raised over the roof of the Royal Albion pub in High Street, Walton.

Earlier this year firefighters were called to the building after a section of guttering and tiles started to fall away from the roof.

Fire crews used an aerial platform as they made the structure safe.

Now town councillors want the owners to fix the problem before a pedestrian is hurt by a falling roof tile.

Walton councillor John Halls said: “A lot of people are very concerned that the building is unsafe and worry about walking near it.

“All we need is a high wind and we are going to have bits of roof raining down on people below.

Tendring Council is aware of the issue and has been in touch with the pub freeholders, as well as Essex County Council Highways in a bid to resolve the issue.

The roof is not thought to be an immediate danger to the public.

The Royal Albion landlord said any repair work was down to the freeholder, but declined to make any further comment.