A RURAL pub which is popular with hikers and tourists has been given a new lease of life.

The Fox and Hounds, in Starbotton, has been saved from closure by a couple from Wakefield and their young family who took over this week.

The official opening was yesterday (Thursday) and new owners Steve and Sarah Abbott intend to keep the welcoming character of the pub while extending the opening hours to accommodate more customers at the weekends.

But just a few short months ago the story was not as promising after the previous owners, Jim and Hilary McFadden, in desperation, applied for planning permission to change the pub into a private dwelling.

"We had been trying to sell the pub for around four years so Jim and I could spend more time with our family in Scotland," said Mrs McFadden.

"Just over 12 months ago we found a buyer who wanted the pub, but foot and mouth struck in the country and he backed out.

"Since then there has been no interest and we felt the only option we had left was to see if we could turn it into a house, even though it was the last thing we wanted to do, particularly in such a small community," she said.

But salvation was round the corner in the form of the Abbotts, who are looking forward to welcoming old and new customers.

Mr Abbott has spent many years in the licensing trade and is looking forward to settling in the picturesque part of the dales with his wife and two sons, the oldest of whom will go to Kettlewell School.

Mr Abbott told the Herald: "I heard on the grapevine that it was on the market and they were looking to sell."

He said the Fox and Hounds was a traditional Dales pub and he intended for it to remain the same under his ownership.

The only change he would be making was opening all weekend, which had never been done before as the previous owners used to close in the afternoon.

The pub will be closed all day on Mondays in order for the family to spend time together.

Mr Abbott, whose experience in the licensing trade includes expertise as a chef, said food would continue to be an integral part of the business.