THE fate of three popular village pubs in Burnley is hanging in the balance - with two being placed on the market.

New owners are being sought for the Crooked Billet, in Worsthorne, which has an asking price of £260,000.

Gargrave-based estate agents Westlake and Co have confirmed they have been instructed by owners Punch Taverns to sell the Smith Street hostelry.

And the Kettledrum Inn at Red Lees Road, Cliviger, is up sale for £290,000 through estate agents Jeremy Rubin & Co.

And the future of the former Fighting Cocks pub, just yards from The Kettledrum, will be debated by members of the borough council’s development control committee tomorrow (Thurs).

Planning officers and the new owners, East Lancashire chain Nino’s, have clashed over proposed alterations to the front of the locally-listed building.

But Coun David Heginbotham, Mayor of Burnley and borough councillor for Cliviger and Worsthorne, is calling for planners to allow the development to proceed.

“The owners are willing to invest £1million into the restaurant and it will lead to 30 jobs for Cliviger,” said Coun Heginbotham.

“There are people in the area who need this work, whether it is full-time or part-time, and I think this should be allowed.

“And as for the Crooked Billet, it is a lovely place, in a great location, which would do well with the right owners.”