A PUB landlady has assured her regulars and staff that she is not selling up, despite what she describes as "false rumours" among the local community.

Barbara Boanson has run the Carlbury Arms, in Piercebridge, near Darlington, with her partner Richard Hewitson, for two years, but says she is mystified at rumours that they have decided to sell the pub.

The 47-year-old said: "I just do not understand how these rumours have got around, because they are complete rubbish.

"You wonder whether it's malicious or done out of jealousy, but either way, I want to put it to rest and reassure our staff and customers that we are here to stay."

She found out about the rumours after a member of staff asked if it was true that she was selling up, and later discovered that the village had been gossiping about it for several months.

Miss Boanson said she has even had calls from interested buyers who have asked if they can have the first offer on the pub, but who have then refused to reveal who told them the pub was for sale.

She added: "Richard and myself have put everything into this pub, and now this has come along, just before Christmas, it is absolutely baffling.

"We just want people to stop phoning, and whoever is spreading these false rumours can just stop now, because we are going to crack on doing our job."