A REMOTE pub has become the first in the region to be granted a 24-hour licence to serve alcohol - because there are so few people about to object.

The Langdon Beck Hotel, nestled high in the North Pennines, may be surrounded by more sheep than customers but landlord Glen Matthews is confident it will suit his rather "special band" of clientele.

According to the Morning Advertiser, "the bible" of the UK's food and drinks industry, he is one of less than ten landlords in the country to be granted such a licence.

Mr Matthews and his wife, Sue, took over the hotel, at Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham, just under a year ago.

"We wanted to have the freedom to serve the needs and styles of a rather special band of customers we cater for here in Upper Teesdale," said Mr Matthews.

These include local sheep farmers, walkers, cyclists and grouse shooters, who book in for breakfasts.

"We will be able to give them tots of brandy at 7.30am to warm them up," he said. "Similarly, we will be able to cater for walkers who may drop in at the hotel at odd hours. It's been an expensive process, costing about £1,000, but one we think that will prove well worthwhile."

Garry Keay, licensing officer for Teesdale District Council, said there had been no objections and the licence would remain in place for the lifetime of the pub - one of the most remote in the country.

The couple don't envisage busloads of revellers coming to "get boozed up" -as the pub is just too isolated.