AN AWARD-WINNING South Lakeland country pub that attracts customers from far and wide will be sold next week.

The Masons Arms, at Strawberry Bank, Cartmel Fell, was put on the market last October for £695,000 and is to be bought by Marc Claret and his wife Leesa, who will run the hostelery, and "sleeping partner" Andrew McClean.

They are expected to complete on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

For the past 23 years the pub has been run by Helen Walsh, of Crosthwaite, who will concentrate on making and selling fruit-based spirits from an industrial unit at Plumgarths, Kendal.

Damson beer has been brewed at the pub for many years and Mrs Walsh and her husband Michael now use the fruit to make gin and also produce drinks like blackberry whisky.

She said the pub had been a big part of her life for over two decades and added that her emotions swung between "adulation and depression" at the thought of leaving.

"I have had some very happy times here and made a lot of very, very good friends," she said.

Mr Claret has run hotels, restaurants and pubs in Hertfordshire, Surrey, Devon and Kent and has recently sold a restaurant in a village called Chayofa, near Los Christianos, on the island of Tenerife.

He and his wife, who hails from Bolton, were aware of the reputation of The Masons Arms and were instantly impressed when they came to view it for the first time.

"I had not been here before.

I came up for a first look and thought: 'Yes,'" said Mr Claret, who hails from Hertfordshire.

"This is a traditional olde English pub which, sadly, are becoming rarer and rarer.

"That is unfortunate because the British public and tourists coming over here to experience our heritage and history like to see an old-fashioned English pub."

Mr Claret has plans to refurbish the upstairs dining area to replicate how the pub looks downstairs with log fires, oak beams and old world artefacts.

"We intend to keep the very traditional side to the pub that it has always thrived on," said Mr Claret.

The work is expected to carry on for four weeks and disruption will be kept to a minimum.

The couple will continue to stock the 200 plus varities of beer that have helped the pub gain an international reputation among ale connoisseurs although some of the poorer sellers may be discontinued.

But the wine list will be extended and new lines added to the menu.

"We are really looking forward to meeting all the locals and regulars plus all the people who come from a bit further afield," said Mr Claret.

"Helen is quite sad and emotional at leaving the pub.

We want to further develop the baby that she has been mothering for all those years."

The Masons Arms has featured in magazines and television programmes round the globe and has been the recipient of a number of awards.