A DEVASTATED couple told today how they have become homeless and jobless after they lost thousands of pounds in a pub dispute.

Terry and Barbara Bush said their dream came true when they got the chance to run their first pub, the Brownhill Arms, Whalley New Road, Blackburn.

But now they have been left shattered after they were forced to close the pub because they can't afford to keep it open.

The couple were among around 10 publicans who were left thousands of pounds out of pocket after they took over bars across East Lancashire run by leasing company Oak Leaf Inns, headed by Marcus Hyslop.

The landlords said they were owed wages by Mr Hyslop and some launched legal actions to recover deposits they had paid.

A Lancashire Evening Telegraph investigation into Mr Hyslop resulted in Blackburn brewer Daniel Thwaites axing Oak Leaf Inns and taking back control of the pubs.

Mr Hyslop claimed he had withheld money because of "deficiencies" in expected takings.

Now Mr and Mrs Bush have been forced to close the pub and will have to leave the premises in two weeks because they can no longer afford to run it. They fear they will end up on the streets. Barbara, 50, said: "The bills have been mounting up and we just can't pay them.

"We are still owed £3,500 and our legal action to recover it has got nowhere because Mr Hyslop cannot be tracked down.

"It was a tough decision to close the pub but we had to do something.

"My health has deteriorated and we really don't know which way to turn now.

"We've been left homeless and jobless because of this situation. It was our dream to run a pub but I wish we'd never have set foot in the place."

Mr Hyslop could not be contacted for comment. His mobile phone number is now dead and he has left his former pub, the Clog and Spindle, Yorkshire Street, Burnley.

Roger Moore, Thwaites tenanted trade sales manager, said: "It's a very unfortunate situation and we have every sympathy with Mr and Mrs Bush.

"I have been to the pub and met with them and everything has been very amicable.

"We have helped them in as many areas as we can and we are sorry to lose them.

"But the pub will be trading with new tenants, who have been appointed."

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