TWO of East Lancashire's most prestigious gastro pubs have been sold as part of an acquisition by a pub chain.

Brunning and Price has bought Ribble Valley Inns' The Clog & Billycock in Blackburn and The Three Fishes in Mitton as well as the Highwayman, Kirkby Lonsdale and The Bull at Broughton. The fifth Ribble Valley Inns pub, the Nag’s Head, Tarporley, did not form part of the deal and is to be sold separately.

The pubs were all part of the The Northcote group, which includes Northcote hotel in Langho, Northcote at the Rovers at Ewood Park and Cafe Northcote, in Blackburn cathedral.

Brunning and Price run 62 pubs abross the UK, including The Aspinall Arms in Clitheroe.

Mary Willcock, MD of Brunning and Price, said: “We have admired Ribble Valley Inns for many years and believe that these well-known and long-established businesses are perfectly positioned geographically for us to enhance our presence in the north of England.

“As always, we feel that a pub should retain its own personal character and look forward to working with the teams locally to ensure they prosper and thrive in the coming months and years."