A village pub has moved to quash rumours that it has been forced to close due to staff shortages.

A post on The Hapton Inn's social media page earlier this week seemed to suggest that the community run establishment would be closing before Christmas and re-opening again in the New Year due to low numbers of staff.

However, after an article appeared online on Saturday morning stating the pub, on Accrington Road in Burnley would be closed until further notice, on Saturday evening, Kev Furber, who runs the Friends of Hapton Inn group, announced the pub would not be shutting its doors for three weeks but would only be closing the kitchen.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Hapton Inn when it was put up for auction in 2019

In a video Mr Furber, stated: "People might have seen the article saying that the pub has shut until further notice. That's not true.

"The pub is open for business, but unfortunately we don't have a chef, and because we don't have a chef the decision has been taken that there won't be any food on offer as far as the Hapton Inn and the pub is concerned until the New Year.

"But, it is going to trade as a pub throughout."

A message posted on the pub's social media account on Friday read: "We’ve got some tough news to share and we hope everyone understands and is compassionate with our decision.

"Since our kitchen team has been reducing and we’ve been struggling to replace them with suitable candidates, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to continue as a drinking establishment only.

"We've got some tough news to share and we hope everyone understands and are compassionate with our decision."

Then on Saturday morning a further message was posted stating: "In light of recent events, unfortunately the decision has been made to shut the pub completely until further notice.

"Therefore, Wednesday's Christmas market event won’t be taking place. I apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Lancashire Telegraph: Friends of the Hapton Inn campaigning to save the pub in 2019

Mr Furber is part of the Friends of the Hapton Inn group, which formed in 2019 when the historic pub went up for auction at the beginning of September.

As a result of tireless campaigning they were able to save the pub from certain demise and kept it open as the last remaining pub in the village.

The Hapton Inn will continue trading as a drinks establishment only until the New Year, when they hope to be in a position to begin serving food again.