A HISTORIC 17th century West Devon pub has been placed into administration.

The Dartmoor Inn at Lydford entered administration on January 20 due to the difficult trading conditions affecting rural pubs.

Begbies Traynor partner Ian Walker and director Chris Norman, who are business recovery and insolvency specialists based in the firm's Exeter office, have been appointed joint administrators.

Mr Walker said: 'The pub will continue to trade as normal during the administration period but will be put on the market as a going concern. We anticipate that it will continue to be an important feature of the local economy attracting tourists to the area, and we are working with current managers to ensure the business's future viability.'

The pub is expected to fetch in excess of £325,000.

All of The Dartmoor Inn's 13 staff were made redundant on appointment, however the pub continues to trade under a separate management company.