A LANDLORD is serving exotic cocktails to drinkers at a pub which was buried under snow this time last year – while weather forecasters have warned of a windy weekend ahead.

Staff at the Lion Inn, in Blakey Ridge, on the North York Moors, faced the ultimate lock-in on this day last year, when they were cut off by blizzards.

Two guests and five members of staff were stranded by snowdrifts, cutting off any escape from the 16th Century free house.

At an elevation of 1,325ft, the Lion Inn bills itself as the country’s fourth highest pub.

Co-owner Paul Crossland had to put a warning online, urging customers not to attempt to reach the pub.

He said: “This year, it’s a very different story.

“We’re pretty high up and pretty exposed up here, but the snow still caught us by surprise last year. It all seemed to fall in the space of one evening’s shift – then the drifts really cut us off.

“We were stuck until about December 6. We still had plenty of food and drink left, but had just about run out of Calor gas for the heating.

“It was fun at first, but I prefer this. I’d rather be out here with a cocktail than breaking my back with a snow shovel in my hands.”

Forecaster Chris Burton, from MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the region was in line for strong winds, particularly on higher ground, with tonight likely to see the most blustery conditions.

Mr Burton predicted winds of more than 70mph in exposed areas, with winds of up to 55mph expected in towns and cities.

The Highways Agency has urged motorists in the region to check weather forecasts before they travel today. A police spokeswoman said: “Officers are warning drivers of highsided vehicles that there is a strong possibility that the A19 Tees flyover and Leven Viaduct will be closed to them and other vulnerable vehicles, such as caravans after warnings of around 70mph gusts.”

Other high-risk areas identified by the Highways Agency, which has issued an amber alert, include the A66 and A69 cross-country routes, junctions 58 to 65 of the A1(M) in County Durham and the A19 at the Hylton Bridge, in Sunderland.

For updates on conditions on motorways and major roads, visit highways.gov.uk/ traffic or call the Highways Agency on 0300-123-5000.