A POPULAR Neston pub is losing its landlady after five years.

Lyndsey Pugh, 48, from Neston, began working at The Malt Shovel in October 2017 as part-time bar staff after leaving her career as a florist.

Eight months later, the landlady at the time, Stacey, asked Lyndsey if she wanted to have the pub, and Lynsdey took over.

Speaking to the Globe, Lynsdey said: "Before I started here, I had never poured a pint in my life.

"My dad drinks in here as well. I've always felt comfortable here."

Lyndsey fell in love with The Malt Shovel, explaining that it was down to the "people and banter".

In an emotional Facebook post last month (January 9), Lyndsey posted that she would be leaving, explaining that "it's not been an easy decision to make" but she feels "the time is right".

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She added: "I'm going to miss it so much.

"Even the job itself I'm going to miss but I've got to do what is right for me now."

'It's going to be heart-breaking to go'

Lyndsey is currently working extremely long hours and is looking forward to being able to have some more free time and be with her partner and 19-year-old son when she leaves.

"The pub game is not a 9-5. You are on call all of the time but I knew that was part of the job. I've loved it but I woke up six weeks ago and knew it was time", she said.

"Even when I broke my foot last year I was still here. I'm probably too attached because at the end of the day, it is just a building, but it's my home."

When asked what she is going to miss the most, Lyndsey said the customers.

"I've made a lot of good friends but also upset some people. I'm not everyone's cup of tea but I just say it how it is", she said.

"It's going to be heart-breaking to go. But I'm not going to say 'this is forever'."

To celebrate, Lyndsey will be holding two parties before she leaves the pub as the pub's DJ is also leaving around the same time as her.

She added: "I'm all for change. This place definitely needs a new face."

Lyndsey's last working day at The Malt Shovel will be on Tuesday, March 14.