A PUB landlord cleared of a graveyard sex attack on a young mother today hugged his wife and said: "I'm absolutely ecstatic."

And Alan Jolley's wife Ann, who had listened as her husband of 21 years told Burnley Crown Court of his late-night romp in the village cemetery, today insisted she had forgiven him and would stand by him.

Ann fought back tears and was supported by friends as the jury delivered its not guilty verdict to a charge of indecent assault after just half an hour.

Mr Jolley said the couple had a loving relationship, although the court heard they had not had intercourse for four years.

He said it would be straight back to running the White Bull, New Lane, which they have had for nine years, to "normality" and the close-knit community they love.

Twice-married Mr Jolley said British justice had been done and went on: "All I want to do at the present time is to thank all our friends in Oswaldtwistle, all those who have stood by us and supported us.

"We have received cards and letters and all I can do is thank them from the bottom of my heart.

"We just want to carry on and run a good pub and get back to normal."

Mr Jolley, father of twin sons, said he and Ann had tried to carry on as usual during the months the case had been hanging over their heads -- and could not have done it without dedicated staff.

His wife said the case had placed a great strain on their relationship.

They had not been able to concentrate on anything but they had just carried on working and tried to keep it at the back of their minds.

She said the staff at the pub, the first they had run and which they had put their hearts and souls into, had been absolutely wonderful.

They had believed her husband totally and the premises would have had to close without them.

Mrs Jolley said she had at first been angry and disappointed with her husband after she found out about his sexual encounter with the woman as he walked their dog, last May.

But she had "completely forgiven him" and "couldn't stay angry forever."

She said: "I believed his version of events entirely. I never doubted him for one moment."

Mr Jolley had denied indecent assault and was discharged from the dock by Judge David Pirie at the end of the eight day trial.

The woman involved had been branded a liar and attention seeker by his barrister, who claimed she had gone into the churchyard to meet Mr Jolley for a purpose - not to look at the stars but for a sexual encounter of some kind.

The court had heard prosecution claims that the alleged victim had struggled to get away from Mr Jolley as he held his hand over her mouth and molested her.