A VILLAGE inn once dubbed the grottiest pub in the country is now proving so popular that its car park is overflowing causing a problem for neighbours.

The Hare and Hounds in Foulridge has long since cleaned up its act after being labelled with the unfortunate title and now the popular hostelry is too well liked for some local residents.

Customers finding the pub car park full are parking in nearby streets which is upsetting some villagers.

One resident, Janet Davis, said: "We are not objecting to the pub itself. We are glad the Hare and Hounds is doing so well. The problem is that because it has expanded the food side of the business it has become very popular. "The overflow from the car park gravitates to the nearest parking space. This is becoming more and more frequent."

Mrs Davis told Pendle Council's Colne area committee residents were worried emergency vehicles may not be able to get along some streets because of parked cars.

Landlady Barbara Shepherd said: "We've lived round here so we do know there's a problem. We've been thinking about ways of solving it and we've come to an agreement with Croft Mill, which is just across the road, for our customers to use its car park.

"We've put posters up in the pub to make sure our customers know about it."

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