A 300 year old Blackburn pub is set to close its doors at the end of this month as the landlady of 20 years is leaving.

The Witton Inn, in Redlam, is set to close its doors on Sunday, October 30.

Landlady, Lesley Lomax, has officially owned the pub for 20 years but it has been in charge for 25.

Lancashire Telegraph: Lesley Lomax Lesley Lomax (Image: Lesley Lomax)

Lesley is “heartbroken” to leave the pub but says health issues have prevented her from renewing her lease with the brewery, Stonegate Group.

She said: “My lease is up and I have decided to semi-retire.

“I can’t carry on because of my health problems, I would have liked to have stayed on but it’s not possible.

“After being at the pub for so many years, It’s hard to express how I feel. I am going through a lot.

“It’s going to be hard to close those doors for the last time.”

At the time of writing, Lesley says Stonegate have so far failed to find a suitable landlord to take over the venue, which is thought to be more than 300 years old.

She said: “Unfortunately we do not see what the future holds for the Witton Inn.

"Maybe the doors will reopen as a pub one day, but it is sad to say that for now they remain closed until the brewery decide it’s destiny.

“The pub has been a big part of our lives.

“It will be heart-wrenching to drive by and see it boarded up.”

Lesley said customers are “heartbroken” about the news and says it is a go-to meeting place for people in the community.

She said: “Some customers have been coming in for 50 years.

“It’s a place where people can meet and enjoy a drink and chat for a few hours.

“Some might not see each other again while the pub remains closed and it is really upsetting.”

Lesley says she has made many happy memories during her time at the pub and wants to thank customers.

She said: “Over the years I have loved meeting so many people.

“You would be surprised at just how many kind people there are in the world that love their community.

“We would like to thank all our customers, past and present, for their loyal and enjoyable custom.

“We have had some happy and memorable times in the Witton, which we will never forget.”

A spokesperson for the Stonegate Group said: "After 20 years, the current licensee has made the decision not to renew their lease.

"We are actively recruiting for a new Pub Partner, for more information please visit:www.stonegatepubpartners.co.uk".