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White Horse landlord, Paul Whitburn, welcomes another thirsty customer with a four-pack from the Co-op next door. DB1701P11

THE lyrics of the Australian country song "A Pub with no Beer" rang true for locals at the White Horse Inn in Downton this week after their pub was forced to stop selling alcohol.

Paul Whitburn, landlord of the White Horse, had his licence withdrawn recently after declaring himself bankrupt, meaning he is unable to sell beer or other alcohol until a new one is approved.

This has created the rather extraordinary situation of White Horse Inn regulars buying their own drinks from the Co-op store next door and taking them into the pub to enjoy with their meals.

Mr Whitburn said: "I don't think I have ever heard of a perfectly good pub which cannot provide its customers with what they want, but I have no-one to blame but myself. I have entered into a partnership to keep the pub going, however, and we will have to get through this and hope normal business will resume as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, though, the Co-op seems to be doing a roaring trade."

Despite the severity of this blow, Mr Whitburn and the pub's regulars are remaining soberly optimistic and have made every effort to make the best of the situation.

He added: "I actually got the news about the licence after I returned from my first day off in eight months and, at first, I was devastated.

"But I realised I have a duty of care to my employees and customers and, as this pub has been here since 1420, I am a custodian of more than 500 years of history, so I could not simply run for the hills.

"I immediately made everyone aware of the situation and am pleased to say the community has really rallied round.

"We had a raffle quiz night where I gave away the alcohol which would have gone to waste, we are still serving meals where people can bring their own drink, and are also serving a range of non-alcoholic cocktails for those who don't want to bring their own.

Mr Whitburn has made an application for a new licence and hopes the drink will be flowing again soon.

9:42am Thursday 18th January 2007

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