THE manager of one of Lancashire's best known hotels has quit -- to run a country pub.

Neal Tripp, former manager at the Tickled Trout in Samlesbury, has always liked a challenge.

And when he heard about problems at the Clog and Billycock he said he knew he was the man to turn it around.

Despite an obvious pay-cut, the 43-year-old is confident of his abilities to make the pub a success and as landlord he will share in whatever profits the pub makes.

His predecessor at the Pleasington pub was charged with cultivating cannabis and possession of amphetamine with intent to supply after a raid in August.

But today Mr Tripp, who became landlord over two weeks ago, said that it had been redecorated and was a cosy country pub in a rural setting.

He said: "After five years at the Tickled Trout and a total of 20 years running hotels all over the country, I decided it was time for a change.

"I was fed up of working for the MacDonald hotel chain and wanted to do something that I could make my own and reap the rewards.

"I have always wanted to work for myself and when I saw the negative press about the pub thought 'I can turn that place around.'

"We have thrown out the snooker table and are concentrating on food -- which is all home cooked on the premises and is already being praised by customers.

"And we have totally redecorated the place.

"It is in a beautiful rural setting and I am proud to say that the pub is now lovely.

"We had 70 for Sunday dinner last week and I know whoever comes to eat with us will be very pleasantly surprised about what they find."

Despite being a smoker himself, Mr Tripp has banned smoking in the pub from all but one small room in a bid to bring back families and diners who want to savour their food away from smoke.

Although it is still early days, a spokesman for Thwaites brewery, who own the premises, praised his efforts and said they were sure his gamble would pay off.

A spokesman said: "We are sure that his local knowledge gained whilst working at the Macdonald Hotel will ensure that the reputation of the pub will go from strength to strength."