AN award-winning real ale pub in the centre of Darlington which was due to shut this weekend has been given a stay of execution.

On Monday, Steve Metcalfe and Lynda Harland, licensees of The Quaker, in Mechanics' Yard, were told to vacate the premises within a week by pub owners, the Tadcaster Beer Company.

The couple said the company told them the business was no longer tenable as a real ale pub.

But last night, the Tadcaster Beer Company said the pub did not have to shut on Sunday and it had agreed to meet Mr Metcalfe, 45, on Monday.

"We have got a week's stay of execution," said Mr Metcalfe.

"They are coming to try to find a way forward."

The couple, of Woodland Terrace, said they were shocked at being told to leave just over a year after taking over the pub.

"To say I am devastated is an understatement," said Mr Metcalfe.

"I'd be lying if I said we hadn't struggled at times but since last June, when we took over as tenants, we have increased the takings by 80 per cent."

The Quaker has been named the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) Pub of the Year in Darlington three times in the past four years.

Last week, its own brew, Quaker Ghost Ale, won North-East Beer of the Year.

Mr Metcalfe said: "We do struggle some weeks to pay the rent. And, in the first year, we made a £20,000 loss, but we are catching up."

Members of the Darlington branch of Camra said they were shocked and disappointed by the initial decision.

Brendan Boyle said: "It doesn't make sense to us. The Quaker has got better and better. Steve and Lynda have built up a wide and loyal base of customers."

The managing director of the Tadcaster Pub Company, James Crawfurd-Porter, said: "We have worked closely with Steve Metcalfe for the last 18 months to achieve an improvement in his business.

"We want Mr Metcalfe to succeed and have arranged Monday's meeting to discuss his plans for both the immediate and long-term future."