AFTER nearly 19 years as mine hosts at the Clarendon Hotel, Hebden, Ken and Christine Lakin have served their last pint and bar meal.

This week the pair moved to Threshfield where Ken said he would like to "take up an apprenticeship as a millionaire". In reality, this will probably mean improving his golf handicap of 21.

Christine, whom he met while playing for Heckmondwike cricket club - her father was the club secretary - says she is going to try to join him more often on the greens.

After beginning his working career in the police force, Ken took up cricket professionally playing in the Yorkshire Council Central League.

His forte was fast bowling and the highlight of his career was an all 10 return. He also has two centuries to his name.

The Clarendon Hotel was the first licensed premises the couple had owned.

Prior to this they had been in the grocery trade, following on from Ken's parents, Joseph and Annie, in a store in Wetherby.

Ken's parents moved with the couple to Hebden and although Annie died last year, Joseph still lives nearby and will celebrate his 90th birthday in a few months time.

The couple have made many acquaintances since moving to the village.

"We like to think that many of the people we have met are friends as well as customers and hope to carry on seeing them because we are not moving very far," added Christine.

Neighbours Maxine Bancroft and Wendy Moor organised a collection for the couple and presented them with a Terry Logan print and a Waterford Crystal clock and vase.

This week new hosts John and Rachel Younger took over the reins.

John is a part-time postman and Rachel has moved from the Fountaine Inn, at Linton.