A FORMER landlady has spoken of her nine months of hell after she was embroiled in a bitter wrangle with a pub management company.

Vickie Godwin, 22, claims she is owed the £2,000 she paid to Premier Inns UK Ltd as a bond when she took over as landlady at The White Lion pub, in Huncoat, in May last year.

But she has received a letter from the company saying SHE owes them money.

Vickie, from Lancaster Street, Oswaldtwistle, said she was asked to leave the pub in October 2003 as it wasn't making money.

She claims she made numerous phone calls and sent e-mails and letters to the company for the return of her bond.

But in a letter from the company - signed by company director, Shirley Parry - Vickie was told that in addition to losing her £2,000 deposit, she owed an additional £400 as a result of the stock being in deficit, 'unauthorised expenses' of £570 - and a £450 cleaning bill for the back yard where Vickie kept her dog.

Vickie worked as a barmaid and relief manager before taking over at The White Lion pub pub last year.

Vickie said: "The pub had stood empty for a little while but I spent a lot of time trying to get it back up and running.

"I walked round on foot and handed out 400 flyers to let people know that the pub was back open. In July, I was allowed to start a karaoke night, which was very successful.

"But the problem was that pub was always packed for the karaoke on Saturdays but was quiet during the rest of the week.

"I asked if I could have a disco on a Friday night and an afternoon karaoke but was told that I wasn't taking enough money. It was a vicious circle.

"I was also promised that at the start of the football season I could have Sky TV to show the matches. I knew there were a lot of Burnley football fans came into the pub - but the Sky TV never surfaced."

"In mid-September I was told I couldn't run the karaoke night any more."

Vickie said at the end of September she received a phone call from her area manager to tell her that she was being given 28 day's notice. She has since returned to her former job as a production manager with a window-making firm in Great Harwood.

In response to the company's letter, Vickie sent an e-mail to Premier Inns saying she was "appalled" they were claiming she owed them money.

She said: "I would like proof that the stock was down by £1,389.50. I know it was definitely up due to a free barrel of lager I received, which was organised by myself.

"I admit I did forget to clean the yard when I left but I offered to sort it out. I couldn't believe it when I saw the bill and I would like them to justify the £450.

"One person with a brush and shovel and a bit of bleach does not cost £450 and if it did I would like to see the bill."

Vickie has also asked the company to give her details of the 'unauthorised expenses' and claims everything she spent was authorised.

She added she is still waiting for a response. Premier Inns UK Ltd were unavailable for comment.