A PUB landlady says a road closure in her village will threaten trade and could ruin her business.

Barbara Walker, who runs the Bay Horse in Great Smeaton, is dreading the next two weekends, when road resurfacing work could discourage people going to her pub.

The maintenance work is being carried out by North Yorkshire County Council and could last from Saturday morning until Sunday evening both weekends.

Mrs Walker, who has owned the pub for two-and-a-half years, said business had only recently picked up after the foot-and-mouth crisis and losing any more trade would set her back.

She said: "I feel absolutely distraught. I can't afford to lose two weekend's of trade, the business will not stand it. It doesn't bear thinking about."

While the work is being carried out road diversions will be operating, but there will be access to the village via one road.

Mrs Walkers said: "Only local people will know how to get into the village, anyone else in a car will see the yellow diversion signs and be immediately put off and turn away.

"Sunday lunchtime is my busiest period and I cannot afford to lose that trade. I don't know why they couldn't have done the work during the week when people are away at work and children are at school."

A county council spokesman, said : "We apologise for any inconvenience but the council is carrying out the work at the quietest time, when schools aren't operating and people aren't going to and from work.

"I can assure Mrs Walker it will be done as quickly as possible during those days.

"There will still be access to the centre of the village and so if people want to go and eat at the pub then they can do so.

"The resurfacing work needs to be done. We would get even more complaints if there were pot holes in the road creating dangerous driving conditions."