ONE of Teesdale's newest pub landladies is believed to be the youngest in County Durham.

When Samantha Hallimond arrived at the Strathmore Arms in Holwick, just six months after her 18th birthday, she became the youngest pub landlady in the area and probably in the county.

Miss Hallimond - pictured right outside the Strathmore Arms - will be 19 on March 3; she is the daughter of former publicans George and Hillary Hallimond and has grown up living in pubs.

"I have lived in pubs since I was 13 - it's natural to me. I like working with people, and I've always known how to pull a pint and change a barrel," she said.

The whole family is now involved in the business; her brother Alan, 25, has run the Bridge Inn, in Middleton in Teesdale for a year.

After hearing about the pub through the Bridge Inn's former landlady Jill Carter, Miss Hallimond took over in October and reopened for business about a month later.

"My dad, mum and brother help out quite a lot. Dad has supported me and my brother a lot," she said.

She said that she had never considered another career: "To be honest, it's the only thing I have ever wanted to do - be behind a bar. You meet people from everywhere."

Trouble-makers should not think that her pub is an easy target simply because she is young.

"Because of my age, I get a lot of support from the police but I also have my mum, who is a trained bouncer, my dad and my brother. All of them know how to handle rowdy customers. I've got a big enough mouth anyway!"

The Strathmore Arms serves food daily and has four rooms for bed and breakfast.

Miss Hallimond has brought in a new chef, Debra Bainbridge, who also works at the Bridge Inn and is famous for her mutton stew, which has been sampled by Prince Charles.

The pub will be open from 11am every day to attract visitors and walkers, as well as local people.

Behind is a large camping field which customers can use free of charge, provided that they keep it clean and tidy and do not light fires.

"We get older people in for a nice sit down and a meal or a few drinks," Miss Hallimond said. "We get regulars in on a Sunday and we're very popular with walkers."