A FORMER landlady who became embroiled in a cash wrangle after her pub dream turned sour, today spoke of her relief after settling the dispute.

Vickie Godwin, 22, claimed she was owed the £2,000 she paid to pub management company Premier Inns UK Ltd as a bond when she took over as landlady at the White Lion pub, Huncoat, in May 2003.

But at the end of last year she received a letter from a company saying she owed them money.

Vickie, of Lancaster Street, Oswaldtwistle, said she was asked to leave the pub in October 2003 as is was not making money.

She claims she made numerous phone calls and sent e-mails and letters to the company for the return of her bond.

But in a letter from the company - signed by company director, Shirley Parry - Vickie was told that in addition to losing her £2,000 deposit, she owed an additional £400 as a result of the stock being in deficit, 'unauthorised expenses' of £570 and a £450 cleaning bill for the back yard where Vickie kept her dog.

Now she has received notification from the company that they will not be pursuing the outstanding £400 and they are prepared to reach a compromise on the matter and return £1,000 to her, without accepting any blame for any wrongdoing

A letter from the company, said: "We feel that due to your inexperience in the management of the premises, we are willing to meet you half way and stand half of the losses incurred at the White Lion due to your mismanagement."

Vickie, who is now working at Great Harwood Windows, said: "I still do not agree with them but I am willing to accept money to close the matter."