THE auctioning off of a Hereford pub owned by a city businessman has been halted.

The Golden Lion on Grandstand Road was set to go under the hammer this week as the result of a long-running row between owner Guy Taylor and Barclays Bank.

The site of the former Sportsman pub on Widemarsh Common in Hereford, commercial units at Mortimer Road and land at Burcott Road, also owned by Mr Taylor, were all set to be auctioned in London on Tuesday.

But the lots were withdrawn after Mr Taylor submitted claims against both Barclays and auctioneers Barnard Marcus.

Mr Taylor said the row relates to Barclays demanding almost £1 million from him over a loan he denies taking out.