The future of three cherished pubs, one of which has served the community since 1830, has been thrown into doubt after they were put up for sale when the owner went bust.

The Travellers Friend in High Road, Woodford Green, the Warren Wood in Epping New Road, Buckhurst Hill, and the Obelisk in Old Church Road, Chingford, are now on the market after Bramwell Pubs and Bars Limited was placed in administration.

The pubs will stay open for the foreseeable future, but other premises run by Bramwell, which incurred costs of £111million last year to settle debts, have already closed.

Regulars said they would be devastated if the pubs were forced to close.

Clive Foulds, 63, of Chingford Lane in Woodford Green, has been drinking at The Travellers Friend, which is on a site which has been used as a pub for 183 years, for two decades.

Reacting to the news, he said: "It's absolutely devastating. It is a friendly pub and has been part of the local community for centuries.”

"[Regulars] don't know what to do or where else to go, it's terribly sad to see the landlady in this situation.

Bill Woolcott, 59, lives near the High Road pub and started drinking there in his early twenties.

He said: "This place is a little oasis of peace and quiet. It's unlike other pubs in the area because you feel like you can talk without all your senses being bombarded.

John Woolerton, 49, of Nightingale Close in Chingford, has been drinking at the Travellers Friend for 10 years.

He said: “It is the best pub in the local area and the beer is very good.

“I’m devastated because it’s a lovely old pub that is full of character with good customers and friendly staff.”

Matthew Bente, 41, of Green Street in Waltham Abbey, has been visiting the Warren Wood pub for 20 years.

He said: "This pub is part of the local community. It doesn't matter when you come in here, you will always find someone to talk to and the landlord is always happy and wants to chat."

Landlords at the threatened pubs said they were unable to comment.

Administrator Zolfo Cooper confirmed the pubs had been placed on the market.

In a statement it said: “We will continue to trade the business while exploring all possible options for its future including a sale of the business and would like to thank the staff for their continued support and professionalism during this process.

“We would invite parties wishing to make an expression of interest in certain sites to contact Zolfo Cooper on the details below.”

Bramwell Pubs and Bars Limited owns 185 pubs across the UK.