A PUB whose manager has been charged with arson has been closed by its owners while they consider bids to take over the business.

The Fighting Cocks in Red Lees Road, Mereclough, closed last week after Philip Swaresbrick, 34, appeared at Burnley Crown Court a week ago yesterday.

Swaresbrick is charged with assaulting 27-year-old Emma Kelly in April and causing damage to the pub by fire and being reckless with regard to the lives of two children aged five and two.

He appeared at Burnley Crown Court for a preliminary hearing when he was remanded in custody to July 16 for a plea and directions hearing.

Estate agents say the sale of the pub has nothing to do with personal circumstances involving the managers.

Tim Martin, of Fleuret estate agents, said: "The property has been on the market for about six weeks because sales have not done very well this year and the owners, Enterprise Inns, are looking to shake up the business.

"They feel that they want to move away from having a managed house and change it to a private individual running the pub.

"This way it might encourage new ideas and changes to the pub and therefore increase sales."

The lease is up for £45,000 and then buyers will have to pay £48,000 per year to Enterprise Inns for the rent of the property.

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: "As part of a major UK-wide programme by Enterprise Inns to remarket a number of its pubs, several shortlisted applicants wishing to take on the Fighting Cocks lease are currently being considered.

"We hope to be able to confirm the appointment of a new licensee within the next couple of weeks.

"We are not able to comment on the recent manager at the pub because they were personal circumstances and had no direct involvement with the lease of the pub."