A LANDLADY whose dream was to serve behind the bar of a village pub fears she may have to leave due to mounting debts.

Marie Kenny said she was upset over the possibility of losing The Three Tuns, in Sadberge, near Darlington, while still owing thousands of pounds to the bank.

She said the rent and beer prices she pays to pub owner Enterprise Inns are "over-inflated" and "extortionate".

Mrs Kenny, 53, and husband Sean, who have been at the pub for almost two years, pay £500 in rent and £1,400 for beer to Enterprise Inns every week, with the cost of spirits and other expenses on top.

She said: "When we came here, we were told we would take between £3,000 and £3,500 a week behind the bar, but we are lucky if we get £2,500. We can't afford to carry on paying those kind of prices. We are already very overdrawn. I just don't know what we'll do if this goes sour."

The Three Tuns is one of two pubs in the village, and in the past 13 years has had ten landlords.

Mr Kenny, 60, said: "It was Marie's dream to work here because she grew up in Sadberge. I hate to see this happening to her - I would hate to see us lose everything.

"It is a ridiculous amount of money they expect from us every month when we just aren't taking it over the bar."

A spokeswoman for Enterprise Inns said a company representative will be meeting the Kennys today to look at the issues and consider ways of increasing trade.