Pregnant Padiham landlady announces pub closure amid coronavirus crisis

Landlady Toni-Anne Mortimer said she had made the decision to close the Hare and Hounds for the health and well being of her customers and herself as she is pregnant.

The pub willl close at 10pm on Sunday.

But she gave a reassurance that she hoped to re-open the doors as soon as they could saying: "I am looking out for myself and my family and my customers and their families.

"This is a hard time for everyone, frustrating and very upsetting."

Toni-Anne (32) took over the reins of the West Street hostelry last year and began a charity mission, raising just over £1,000 for causes close to the hearts of regulars.

Her first ever pub, she described the role as 'life changing' and has made her mark in the community through her fundraising and a series of trips and outings she has organised for customers to several sporting events.

Toni-Anne runs the pub with her husband Lee and the couple already have two children, Dainton (14) and 10-year-old Ruby.

Toni-Anne who is from Padiham, was all set to become a PE teacher after gaining a degree and she is a former gym instructor who has worked in sport all her life.