A petition to support a Richmond landlord who was kicked out of a beloved pub has nearly hit 2,000 signatures.

The Plough in East Sheen was leased to the landlord for over 10 years, but has now been taken over by the Fuller's chain, which left locals furious.

Fuller's claimed landlord Tony O'Neill "stripped" the building and said it has had to put in a "whole new kitchen".

But Tony said the comments from Fuller's that he stripped the pub were "a load of nonsense".

The landlord claimed he owned the fixtures and his team simply "removed some of the fixtures and fittings that we put in that I will be using again in the new pub".

He said that he had removed fridges and freezers, a coffee machine, an ice maker, expensive light fittings and chandeliers, tables, chairs and all of the stock.

Tony said he is moving to a new pub but said all will be revealed soon.

A spokesperson for Fuller's said: "We have got to put in a whole new kitchen – including replacing items such as the walk in fridge, where the door was removed, and the kitchen extract system as well as getting all new furniture." Tony said: "I'm hugely encouraged by the support that we've had from the community. "I removed the items from the kitchen that we were entitled to and that we will be using again in our new pub. "We didn't remove anything from the kitchen that we weren't entitled to." Tony previously claimed he owned some of the land on the premises and said he thinks he will turn it into a community walk-in area for people to have coffee. Fuller's added: "There is an unresolved issue around the garden which we are working hard to resolve, and we very much hope this will remain part of the pub as it has always been such a beautiful feature." Cllr Brian Marcel, who started the petition, said: "I'm thrilled people are still signing the petition and there is a strong feeling with people that they want the pub back to normal."