A landlord claims he has lost his home, job and savings trying to keep a village pub in business.

Karl Richardson, licensee of The Bay Horse in Cherry Burton, can no longer afford to carry on running the pub, forcing it to close.

Mr Richardson told the Mail he has invested £65,000 into the pub and is now having to declare himself bankrupt and move in with his brother.

He said: "It's been six years of blood and sweat and now I've lost everything.

"It's extremely upsetting as I have made a lot of friends in the area, but the past six months the place has been leaking money and I am no longer able to pay the bills.

"It was pretty degrading having to turn up at a family member's house with a few belongings and ask if I could stay."

The 33-year-old has been at the pub for six years – two as a manager, two with a business partner and two on his own as a licensee. He blames the pub's brewery, Marstons, for its "high-renting costs and alcohol prices", which, along with the current credit crunch, has made making a profit extremely difficult.

He said: "The credit crunch has been a big factor, but the brewery has been charging for one crate of beer the equivalent of three cases of beer from a supermarket.

"I don't think the general public understand I've been paying three times the amount as I would have done from a supermarket.

"The rents are also too high – more than £1,200 a week – and gas and electricity are going up as well.

"Two months ago I was told my rent might go up £14,000 a year.

"Pubs are shutting down every day and I think without more support for the publican even more pubs will close down."

Marstons told the Mail it does not discuss individual business agreements with its licensees in the press.

A spokesperson said: "We are currently in discussions with the tenant at The Bay Horse, who is looking to leave the business.

"In that event, Marstons will be looking for new tenants to keep the business open and trading."

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