A HISTORIC country pub popular with tipplers from neighbouring Teignbridge has been closed after its leasing company stopped trading.

The 15th century Sea Trout Inn at Staverton went dry at the beginning of the month – and now the rush is on to find a replacement team to run the show.

Owners Palmers Brewery, based in Bridport, say they are working ‘very hard’ to revive the inn as soon as possible.

Notices at the pub confirm it has temporarily closed - and the distinctive inn sign of a leaping trout is now lying forlornly on the ground outside the’ dark’ premises.

A Palmers Brewery spokesman confirmed: ‘The company leasing the pub ceased trading at very short notice.

‘Since then we have been working very hard to re-open as soon as we can. We have had meetings with a number of interested parties as it is a lovely pub. We hope the temporary closure does not last much longer.’