A LANDLADY has been stripped of her licence and her pub shut for six weeks after cannabis plants were allegedly found in the living quarters.

Councillors have barred Debra Nichol, of The Office, Holden Fold, Darwen, from being a designated premises supervisor after police said they found 12 plants and cultivation equipment in the pub last year.

They have also shut the premises for six weeks following a hearing of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s licensing sub-committee.

Miss Nichol, 39, and her partner Matthew Wilson have appeared in court accused of cultivating cannabis. They have yet to enter pleas to the charges.

However, in the meeting, members were told were in a report that police had discovered the cannabis plants and also a rifle during a raid in October.

A firearm charge was dropped because the gun was found to be a souvenir.

Despite a court ruling not yet being made, police requested Miss Nichol be banned from the pub and said The Office should be shut for three months.

Although councillors agreed to strip Miss Nichol of her designated premises licence - meaning she cannot run or manage the pub - they ordered The Office to be closed for six weeks.

Afterwards, Miss Nichol was unavailable for comment.

However, she told the Lancashire Telegraph before the meeting that she was 'fighting for her life' in trying to keep her licence.

As landlady, she organised charity events, including raising £1,000 towards training a guide dog.

She had said: “We have done a lot for this community, and for the pub to close would be a real shame.

“As for me, if I were to lose the pub, not only would it be my job, but my home as well.”