YE OLDE RED LION, at Holme-on-Spalding Moor, has changed hands for an undisclosed sum, though the asking price was about £350,000.

Brian and Sandra Walsh, owners for the past 16 years, have decided to retire.

New hosts of the 17th century former coaching inn near Market Weighton are Charles Gillis and Carmen Gomersall, who negotiated through licensed property agents Christie & Co.

The couple have 25 years' experience in partnership in the licensed trade. Before buying Ye Olde Red Lion, Charles owned The Ship Inn, at Barnoldby-le-Beck, in North East Lincolnshire, an award-winning village free house and restaurant.

The couple were attracted to Holme-on-Spalding Moor by the fact that Ye Olde Red Lion, an established residential village pub and restaurant, had developed a strong base of established trade drawn from a wide catchment area, including York and Hull.

What they got for their money was a character lounge bar, oak-panelled restaurant for up to 50 diners, eight letting bedrooms (five double bedrooms and three twin bedrooms), all with en suite facilities, and three-bedroom owner's accommodation. Outside there is a patio with ornamental fishpond, a large car park and beyond that an orchard.

Updated: 09:55 Tuesday, April 09, 2002