A LIFE behind bars is a desirable prospect for many women in East Lancashire.

From air hostesses to housewives, company directors to bus drivers, women from all walks of life are drawn by the irresistible urge to manage a pub.

Famous TV landladies Bet Lynch and Peggy Mitchell suggest that women are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to running a pub single-handedly.

The real world isn't much different. As scores more women now socialise in pubs, more and more barmaids are becoming landladies.

Brass plaques over doors of pubs are engraved with their names - and rumour has it that they are better at the job than the traditional landlord.

Peter Batty, national licensee recruitment manager for Whitbread Pub Partnership, said: "There's no doubt about it.

"Women are naturals when it comes to running a pub. They tend to have personalities which are better suited to dealing with the myriad characters who come drinking in their bar. "They're less confrontational so there's less hostility and this calming influence creates a more welcoming place for women to drink in."

"Women run a tight ship.

"They are excellent money managers, give good service, good housekeeping and good humour."

Melanie Edwards, 32, is a role model for would-be landladies.

Not only does the mother-of-four deal with the stress of running a pub on her own, she has also made history by becoming the first woman to become the junior vice-chairman of the North West Victuallers' Association.

Melanie, also a Daniel Thwaites Tenants Association member, said: "It is quite a privilege really.

"Pub life has been dominated by men for many years.

"It is more popular for women to get involved now."

Melanie, who runs the Tinker and Budget pub in Oswaldtwistle, said: "I was barmaid for a long time but running a pub is a totally different. "I make sure I spend quality time with my children every day as well as doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work such as paperwork.

"It can be very, very stressful.

"Some days I just feel like jacking it all in but I never do.

"I love the job.

"I see it as my vocation in life."

Melanie is training for her private pilot's licence.

She said: "I chose to do this as a complete escape from pub life.

"In the air I don't meet any customers or other licensees.

"It is a perfect break."

Jean Gent swapped her job as a wages clerk to manage the Albion Hotel, Darwen, on her own - and she loved it so much she signed up for double the fun with a second pub in the town, the George Inn. The self-confessed "party animal", who has been in the pub trade 20 years, said: "I love this kind of life.

"The characters, the atmosphere - the social life is fantastic.

"I just couldn't imagine myself in a home all day cooking and cleaning."

Jean, whose working day starts at 8am and ends at 1am, said: "Luckily I don't need much sleep and wake up as bright as a button."

"I think women are better at the job. We are easier to talk to, we are more understanding and tolerant.

"We are better at breaking up fights.

"They think twice before hitting a women and we are not a threat to them.

"Women also sense trouble brewing before it actually kicks off."

She added: "A landlady has to be there for everybody.

"You are everything - nurse, a confidante, a cleaner, to name a few."

Mother and daughter team Judith and Lisa Malcolm run the Halls Arms at Knowle Green, in the Ribble Valley.

Judith, 54, and Lisa, 19, went into the business because it was "different" and share the workload.

Lisa said: "We are very busy and make about 100 meals a day.

"With cleaning, checking the barrels, cleaning the pumps, paperwork and checking all deliveries, it is quite a tiring day."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.