AN enterprising landlord is giving out invites and pencils with a festive message to 1,000 households to encourage people to use his pub.

Sean Garvey will be delivering them around Denholme to attract more customers to the New Inn.

Mr Garvey, who saved the pub from closing when he took it on in 2014, said: "If everyone just called in once a month that would be enough.

"If we get just 15 or 20 people in it creates a great atmosphere.

"My message has got to be call in and use us or lose us. That's the reality."

Mr Garvey, who has had to cut the pub's opening hours because of a lack of trade, says everyone in the pub industry is struggling and he cannot compete with the cheap drink on sale in supermarkets.

The leaflets have the pub's Christmas and New Year opening times on them while the pencils have the message 'Merry Xmas at The New Inn'.

Mr Garvey added: "I want it to be fun at Christmas.

"I've just got to deliver them now!"