A VILLAGE pub which dates back 362 years has closed while new tenants are sought.

The Anchor Inn in Salterforth, which is famous for stalagmites and stalactites which have formed over the centuries in its cellar vaults, closed after the previous licensee left on New Year’s Day.

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The pub, which dates back to 1655, was rebuilt in 1795 when the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was constructed nearby.

The Salterforth Lane hostelry has long been a haven for countryside walkers and those passing through on the waterway and had a reputation as an eating out destination.

Nick Livsey, who lives in the area, said: “There’s such a rich history to the Anchor over literally centuries.

“It’s sad to see it boarded up as it’s part of the fabric of the village. To my knowledge it’s never been closed before.

“Hopefully new licensees will be in there soon and will be opened up again.”

The pub is boarded up, however Star Pubs and Bars, who own the premises, is marketing the pub and seeking new tenants.

The company describes the pub as having ‘a great reputation for serving locally sourced, home cooked food and currently offers a small number of cask ales’.

The pub has capacity for 60 diners and a beer garden overlooking the canal with a children’s play area.

In its early days, The Anchor Inn used to be called the The Travellers Rest.

In the 1770s when work was taking place on the construction of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which runs behind the pub, the inn became damp and the new pub was built above it utilising the old pub as its cellars.

The cellars are now famous for the spectacular display of stalactites and stalagmites.

Staff have been known to frequently give tours to interested visitors to the unusual features.

Part of the original inn can still be seen in the cellars and, due to them being undisturbed for well over 200 years, there is now an incredible display.

The formations have been created by water dripping through limestone flooring in the cellar.