A RURAL village pub has been sold to a new owner who has promised to keep it trading. The future of the Old Fox along School Lane in Bricket Wood has been in doubt since it was put on the open market by pub company Punch Taverns at the start of the year.

A RURAL village pub has been sold to a new owner who has promised to keep it trading.

The future of the Old Fox along School Lane in Bricket Wood has been in doubt since it was put on the open market by pub company Punch Taverns at the start of the year.

But it was confirmed this week that the Old Fox had been sold to a new owner that would keep it trading as a pub.

The Herts Advertiser revealed the plight of Gary and Sandra Higginbotham last summer when they were evicted from the pub for failing to meet rent demands which they said were impossible to meet considering the trade they turned over.

Ken and Lea Dury were parachuted into the ailing pub in February as the latest in a line of temporary tenants and they placed a bid for it after seeing its huge potential.

But another bid won which has left the couple, whose introduction of real ales and cream teas have been popular, with two weeks to leave the pub.

They admitted that they were disappointed as they had hoped to stay at the Old Fox permanently but they said they have enjoyed their time there.

Lea said: "We would like to thank the local support and their love of real ales."

Ken added: "We hope it continues to be the traditional English pub that the locals deserve."

St Stephen parish councillor David Brannen, who lives along the lane, said there was a real fear that the pub would close.

He said: "I'm relieved to hear that the pub has been sold to someone who is going to retain it in its traditional capacity. It's sad that Ken and Lea have got to leave after doing such a good job of reviving it, but lets hope that the new owners continue their good work with the support of the local community."

A spokesperson for Punch Taverns confirmed that contracts had been exchanged on the Old Fox and added: "We anticipate completion within the next three weeks. We can confirm that the site will continue to trade as a pub.