A GRANDMOTHER has taken over the pub where she was, until recently, the cleaner.

Janice James said she is confident she can tame The Grove Inn, Middlesbrough - despite police saying that it suffers from an "extremely high level of violent crime".

The 48-year-old who took over the pub only a few weeks ago, said: "I swore I would never drink in the place, despite living directly across the road from The Grove, yet here I am running it.''

Sergeant Paul Higgins, of Cleveland Police, says in a letter to Middlesbrough Council's licensing sub-committee, to be considered this week: "The premises suffer from an extremely high level of violent crime and disorder, more so than the vast majority of premises in the area,''

The force is concerned that the Pyramid Pub Management Company, owner of The Grove, is applying to have Gary Donachie approved as designated premises supervisor.

Police are objecting to his proposed appointment, as other business commitments mean he would only make daily visits to the Broadwell Road premises, and would not be in day-to-day control.

But Mrs James says Mr Donachie would only be a stand-in only, until she assumes full licensed control of the pub later this week.

"I was cleaning up the night after New Year when the area manager asked me if I would like to give it a go," she said.

"It's been a lot of hard work, but I think we have turned the place around. My husband, Geoffrey, has helped me, but it has taken a woman to do it.

"I have only been in here five weeks, but I had praise from Cleveland Police and the business is picking up.''