An award-winning village pub will close next month when its current tenants leave - after almost 20 years behind the bar.

Maggie Scott and her sons Duncan and Taylor Scott have run the Victoria and Albert in Netherhampton since 2002.

But the pub's doors will close at the end of September, as they were unable to agree a new lease with the landlord.

Duncan says the terms offered were "ridiculous" and "unsustainable".

'Time for some fresh eyes'

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Duncan Scott on the pumps at the V&A in Netherhampton. Picture by Spencer MulhollandDuncan Scott on the pumps at the V&A in Netherhampton. Picture by Spencer Mulholland

Under the mother-and-sons partnership, the pub was voted Country Pub of the Year by members of Salisbury and South Wiltshire's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Duncan said: "We've had some amazing times and some not so amazing times and our lease is up and non-negotiable.

"Its time for some fresh eyes and for a change."

He says the landlords wanted them to sign a new 10 or 20 year lease, which they were unable to commit to.

He also added that if they wanted to move on during that lease, and somebody new came in, they would become responsible for the rent should the new tenants fail.

The lease is up on Thursday, September 30, with the final day of trading likely to be at the end of the first week of the same month.

Maggie, 73, will retire, while Duncan now runs a generator hire company, which he has described as "out of the furnace and into the fire".

Get more Salisbury news and nominate your local heroes for the South Wiltshire Hero Awards.

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.