ONE of the Ribble Valley's best known pubs is back on the market.

The Wellsprings, on the side of Pendle Hill above the village of Sabden, last operated as a high-class fish and chip restaurant.

But Whitbread brewery took possession from local businessman Paul Brown and closed the premises when business slumped.

Now solicitor's acting for the brewery say it is only a matter of time before the pub re-opens.

A spokesman for the Manchester legal firm handling the sale of the Wellsprings said: "The pub is being marketed through local agents.

"A number of people have expressed an interest in the business and they all have different proposals for its future."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.