A PUB landlady has called time after nearly 14 years of serving customers at the Royal George in Salisbury.

Lin McQuaide said farewell to customers on Saturday, February 3.

She said: "I've been there for nearly 14 years and I'm not getting any younger so just decided it was time."

She says it was "time for a new beginning, a new chapter and a change of lifestyle".

Lin, who would have celebrated her 14th anniversary of running the pub in April, says she has seen changes to the pub trade over the years with the introduction of the smoking ban and the impact of the recession.

"It has changed there is no way of getting away from it. When we had the recession the whole pub culture changed and people were hanging on to their pennies, and rightly so."

On what she has enjoyed most about her time at the Royal George, Lin said: "All the different people you meet over the years who become very good friends and are not just customers. It is a big family there."

She added: "I have made some sincere and lifelong friends who I will treasure forever."

Lin is still deciding on her new career path but has many fond memories of her time at the Bedwin Street pub.

"I'm so grateful to everyone for the loyal support I have received and all the wonderful messages I have had," she said. "I wish whoever takes it on the best of luck keeping on the legacy."

The pub will be taken over by new management. It was closed last week to allow for maintenance work to be carried out and is due to open its doors on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.