THE owners of a Thai restaurant and pub which have tasted both local and worldwide fame are to move -- to Thailand.

Paul and Buaphat Cryer, who own the Judge Walmesley pub and Dao-Siam restaurant in Whalley New Road, Billington, are to retire from the business due to Paul's ill health.

Dao-Siam -- which means Star of Thailand -- opened in 1992 after the new owners asked Buddhist monks to bless their business, a common practice in Buaphat's native Thailand.

Some years later the pub's name even went global when brewers Heineken paid for a full-page advert featuring the Judge Walmesley in world-renowned Time Magazine.

The last 13 years have also seen the restaurant become a frequent haunt for some of East Lancashire's top sportsmen, including ex-Blackburn Rovers captain Colin Hendry, snooker star Dennis Taylor and champion biker Carl Fogerty.

Paul, 53, originally from Bolton, met Buaphat while on holiday in northern Thailand 20 years ago. She worked in the hotel where he stayed.

They fell in love and he brought her home to Lancashire, they were married in Whalley Methodist Church in 1987.

Paul is now planning to return to his wife's native country to enjoy his retirement. A series of health problems -- some of them related to a brain haemorrhage he suffered eight years ago - have contributed to their decision to leave the Ribble Valley.

He said: "We thought that, while we've still got our health to a large degree, we should make a move. We've been running this place for 13 years and it's a seven-days-a-week job.

"Of course we'll miss the customers and some of the great nights we've had over the years. The pub has developed a real community spirit and I hope that continues after we've moved on.

"Both the pub and the restaurant will continue with the same names and, hopefully, the same atmosphere. We will also miss the Ribble Valley's stunning views.

"I remember when the Buddhist monks came we took them out on to the fire escape to show them the view that overlooks the valley and they were amazed. Having said that, there are some pretty good view in Thailand."