THE landlord of the Blockade pub, Accrington, has had to call time because the pub is to make way for an office block.

Abdul Rauf, who has lived at the pub in King Street for three years with his wife and little girl, admitted that they will be sad to go.

Abdul said: "We have been sold out of the pub, which we and the regulars are not entirely pleased about. Customers have been brilliant with their support and their determination is great to see.

"But at the end of the day we have to go.

"We have been very happy here and made a lot of friends, and we will miss the atmosphere."

The Blockade is the only pub in the country with that name, and Abdul believes that it will be the end of an era for Accrington. Abdul and his family have received a notice to leave the pub by August 9

He explained the family's plans: "We hope that we can find another pub to run.

"But we are not in any rush to jump into things.

"We have found somewhere to live in Accrington which will do for us for the time being," he added.