THIS week I make a relatively short trek to my beery destination on the outskirts of Burnley.

The Hare and Hounds is in a semi rural location high above the town enjoying far reaching views over the East Lancashire countryside.

However, it did appear that the soaring temperatures being experienced on Tuesday, had affected my memory. It was four in the afternoon and the hostelry did not open until five. Shock, horror, it appeared I was on French time!

Pas de probleme. Fortunately, there was another watering hole across the road - The Sun Inn - which provide an interim repose, prior to the ultimate purpose of my afternoon excursion.

The 60 minutes raced by. Two ales in good nick, namely, Black Sheep Bitter and Reedley Hallows, New Laund Dark stout. Also, a half decent beer garden, to enjoy them in. And, friendly service from Becky, who was kind enough to inform me when the doors had opened across the road.

It's fair to say the Hare and Hounds has had a fluctuation of fortunes of late. Having closed, reopened and closed again in the last few months. It was feared, when it called last orders earlier this year, that it would be lost forever as a local pub.

However, it was saved from potential developers by Matthew Evans, who did a similar job saving its namesake in Padiham a couple of years ago.

The pub reopened a couple of months ago and is run by Paul and Carol Campbell.

It's a typical semi-rural establishment with a comfy bar/lounge area, boasting soft upholstered bench seating around most of its perimeter and dark oak tables and chairs.

There's what I would describe as a 'quiet room' adjacent to the lounge. It's away from the general bar chatter area. It has two leather settees, open fireplace, with log burner and an elevated, widescreen TV (not too wide). However, the ambience is somewhat interrupted by the addition of a gaming machine. It just didn't look right, in my opinion.

What did look right was a couple of cask ales on the bar, namely Timothy Taylor's Landlord (£3) and Bank Top Flat Cap(£2.70). There's usually four available, but hey-ho, it was a belting brace.

Both were in good order. And were quaffed in the pub's cracking beer garden that enjoys breathtaking views over Worsthorne Moor and beyond.

Finally, I must mention the home cooked food. The menu looked superb value, priced between £3.50 (hot meat sandwich for example) and £6.95 for more substantial tucker, such as, Hunter's chicken with chips and salad. Mind you, the chalkboard meals, included, what must be the cheapest pie and peas I have ever witnessed - just £2.50!

It's so heartening to see a traditional pub that has been saved. It negates, to a degree, the gloom in relation to the present pub closure figures. The locality, in my opinion, is certainly challenging those national figures, with pubs/bars opening and reopening of late - and long may it continue.