OTTERY S Lamb and Flag pub has been issued its last orders, after its owner, who is keen to sell the premises, admitted this week it will remain closed.

OTTERY'S Lamb and Flag pub has been issued its last orders after its owner, who is "keen" to sell the premises, admitted this week it will remain closed. The once popular pub has been a boarded up, sad reflection of its former self for six months and owner Punch Taverns wants to cash in on the abandoned Batts Lane premises after putting the building up for sale. The credit crunch forced long-term and much loved landlord John White to pour his last pint "with a heavy heart" in November last year, as regulars drank the bar dry before the pub's doors shut. Upon its closure Punch Taverns told the Herald its "priority" was to re-open the Lamb "as soon as possible" and it was in the process of recruiting a new licensee. However, a spokeswoman for the company said yesterday: "Unfortunately the Lamb and Flag remains closed. The pub is currently for sale and we would be keen to hear from any purchasers, or perhaps someone who may be interested in running it on a short-term basis." Former Lamb and Flag regulars who bade the pub a fond farewell last year have been saddened by its demise. Born and bred Ottregian Ray Pollard, 65, had visited the pub as far back as he can remember and said: "It was a real pub and a real central part of the town. There aren't any others like it for me. Tar Barrels night just won't be the same."

Ottery Tourist Information Centre manager Phyllis Baxter said: "Some lovely characters of the town have drunk in there for years. Its quite sad another piece of old Ottery is gone.