Devon pub hit by manure avalanche
A Devon pub suffered a loss of trade yesterday after a tractor towing a trailer of manure crashed and dumped its 14-tonne load on the doorstep.
Customers were dining at the Hoops Inn in Bideford during the incident that saw manure flow in through the front door.
Nobody could leave or enter the pub for three hours while the highways agency and Willis Farm Limited, which owned the tractor, cleared up the mess. It took two extra tractors and trailers to clean up.
The driver had managed to keep the tractor upright, but the falling trailer caused damage to building including "major" cracks in the front porch.
Gerry and Dee Goodwin, who own the pub, will place an insurance claim for around £6-7,000, including £500 for loss of trade during the clean-up.
"We've lost some trade," said Gerry Goodwin. "The trailer gave the pub quite a bang and the building has been damaged.
"However, I must say that the clean-up was beautifully done with not a spot left. Apart from in the garden on the flower beds, which I don't mind."
North Devon has escaped the big freeze and has only a smattering of snow. It is thought the driver lost control of the vehicle after taking a corner too fast.
