MYSTERY surrounds the future of one of Pendle's longest-serving landlords after bailiffs stripped furniture and kitchen equipment from the village pub he had been running.

The doors of the Emmott Arms, Laneshawbridge, are expected to remain locked for several weeks while owners Whitbread Inns refurbish the pub and find someone new to run it.

Donald Allan, who leased the Keighley Road pub from Whitbread, and his wife Pauline, will not return to the Emmott Arms when it re-opens.

Stuart Watt, business development manager with Whitbread, said: "Mr Allan, who was self-employed, came into financial difficulties and abandoned the pub.

"We've taken possession of the pub and we are looking to spend money on refurbishing it and re-opening in the next few weeks. Mr Allan won't be returning to the pub. I have got a couple of people in mind to take on the lease."

Mr Watt said Mr Allan did not owe money to Whitbread. "It certainly wasn't a financial aspect relating to the brewery. It was to another source. We didn't have any problem with Mr Allan." Mr Watt declined to comment on the extent of Mr Allan's financial problems.

Scotsman Mr Allan was one of Pendle's longest serving landlords and had more than 25 years experience in the licensing trade. He recently celebrated the fact that both the pub and its Witches Kitchen restaurant were mentioned in CAMRA pub guides this year.

The restaurant and the couple's annual Burns Night celebrations were popular attractions.

"We're committed to the pub," said Mr Watt. "It is just a short-term closure. We want to see the pub open and thriving in the village."

John Normanton, who runs the village stores opposite the Emmott Arms, said: "It came completely out of the blue. It's a real blow to the village but we're hoping it will be open again in the next few weeks."

There was no answer at the pub where the curtains were closed and a message pinned to the front door said it would be closed until further notice.