A BID to convert a moorland pub into two cottages has been blocked by planning officers at the North York Moors National Park.

The Moon and Sixpence, which was formerly known as the Anglers' Rest, is one of three pubs in the picturesque village of Glaisdale near Whitby.

Marilyn Horbury, who runs the pub, told the park's planning committee in support of her application that there was an over-supply of pubs in Glaisdale.

Her agent said that the business had suffered losses of between £20,000 and £30,000 a year.

The pub is closed, and chief planning officer Val Dilcock accepted in a report that the ability of Glaisdale to support three pubs was questionable.

However, she said that there had been no evidence of the pub being marketed as a hostelry.

Mrs Dilcock pointed out that Glaisdale was a popular village with walkers and tourists, and was on the Coast-to-Coast route from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay.

A submission from the Cleveland branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said the pub's sales of 1.5 barrels of beer a week meant that it was not viable.

Both Glaisdale's other pubs, the Mitre Tavern and the Arncliffe Arms, had closed in the past two years, but each had subsequently reopened and were now doing good business, said Camra.