A TEENAGER raised a glass this week when she became one of the youngest people ever to pass her innkeeping exams.

Vicki Poulton, of Worcester Road, Whitebirk, Blackburn, completed the British Institute of Innkeepers course weeks after her 18th birthday.

The former St Wilfrid's pupil left sixth-form college after studying on for a Btech qualification. Last week a delighted Vicki was told she had passed her pub exams.

The course, run by Thwaites teaches potential licensees about all aspects of running a pub, including barrel changing, line cleaning and hygiene. And now Vicki is looking to take a tenancy with Thwaites and run the pub with the help of her partner.

She said: "I've always had a creative side and I want to put this to good use in my first job. We haven't got a pub yet but we are looking for one that is right for us with good customers."

Work stops, and Trisha's happy

A LANDLADY is breathing a sigh of relief after major roadworks outside her pub were completed after nearly 18 months.

Trisha Barnes, of the Havelock Inn, Havelock Street, Blackburn, claims her pub has suffered a drop in trade because the roadworks made her pub less accessible.

Work was carried out to stop the road flooding and it led to the pub car park being used as a makeshift carriageway.

Trisha said: "We have our car park back and they have done some landscaping around the car park, too, so we are hoping trade will pick up again."

It's a real pint at the Albion

REAL Ale fans will be toasting the re-opening of an Accrington pub. The Albion, in Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, has re-opened under new ownership and is selling real ales from three local microbreweries.

Ales from Bank Top from Bolton, Bowland from Bashall Eaves near Clitheroe and Three Bs from Feniscowles, Blackburn will be on sale at the pub.