Two BELOVED Herefordshire landlords have poured their final pints this week, after being at the helm of a village pub for over half a century. 

Chris and Sandra Corbin have been the faces of the Cross Keys in Withington Marsh for 53 years, with Mr Corbin once being one of the youngest licensees in the county when he took over from Sandra’s parents at the age of 24.

The couple bid farewell to their loyal regulars on Thursday (October 24), with "hundreds" gathering at the pub over the last two days of their tenure to celebrate years of hard work and dedication.

Mr Corbin said he'd never received so many cards and flowers as this week and that there were "lots of tears" and "emotional scenes" during their farewell to the pub.

He said there had been many highlights over the years, including celebrating the couple's 50-year celebration at the pub in 2021.

The couple decided earlier this year that it was time to ring the bell for the last time and enjoy a relaxing retirement after half a century of long nights. 

After making the hard decision to say goodbye, the pub was put on the market with estate agent Sidney Phillips in April with a £1.1 million price tag.

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Now, the village will be welcoming a new landlord to the helm, with Jack Musto taking over as of this week.

Mr Musto, whose mother once worked behind the bar, said that there would be some changes coming to the pub, including five new houses which are to be built on land to the rear of the property.

Earlier this year, planning permission was granted for the new homes, with the application saying that two semi-detached two-bedroom homes were to go on the smaller plot off the A465 to the north, and two of three bedrooms and one of four off The Stallenge to the east.

However, Mr Musto said the pub will not undergo any drastic alterations, and that it was important to preserve it, with it being a "second home" to so many.