MORE than 500 fans of The Mulberry Inn, enjoyed a big ‘farewell’ 10th birthday party at the popular Chiddingfold pub owned by under-fire Top Gear presenter Chris Evans in partnership with manager Camilla Hansen.

It’s all change for The Mulberry, which was put up for sale in April with a £1.25million price tag by the Radio 2 DJ.

But it’s business as usual until the pub is sold, with this month’s ‘Dine and Disco’ in aid of Children in Need and headlined by Sir Paul McCartney, a definite fixture even if a sale has gone through by then.

The Dine and Disco will be the 10th held at the pub in aid of the annual BBC appeal. It was billed last year as “the last ever”, and Chris raised £2 million for the charity on his BBC breakfast show, when he auctioned tickets last November.

Last week’s free event featured live music by up-and-coming local bands in the garden from 1.30pm until late.

“It was a great day,” Camilla said. “There was a fantastic turnout but sadly Chris couldn’t make it. We both want to promote local talent and all the bands playing had been on our open mike nights and we asked them back.

“It was really nice to see so many of our regulars here and there was a feeling that it was probably our last goodbye. We might have a small party when the pub is sold, but it will probably be on a much smaller scale.

“It’s been a privilege to be here. It’s a beautiful pub and we’ve got some lovely neighbours. We are certainly going to miss it. Both Chris and I are feeling quite emotional about going, but it’s time to move on. There’s no news officially on the sales front so we are not quite gone.”