A FAMILY has said a heartfelt goodbye to the pub they have run for five years after lots of "blood, sweat and tears".

The Princess, in Apperley Lane, Rawdon has been run by Aimee Emmett and Danny Farrar since 2018 and was the Telegraph & Argus's Pub of the Week in December last year.

In a post on the pub's Facebook and Instagram pages on Tuesday Ms Emmett and Mr Farrar announced "with a very heavy heart" that they were leaving The Princess after a "journey" of five years.

The duo have undertaken a major refurbishment, had a baby together, and endured and survived the Covid-19 pandemic in that time.

The post began: "Our journey started 5 years ago and after 15 months of relentless hard work (which is still an understatement), a massive refurb and with a little baby Freddie, we finally started making our mark on The Princess.

"Covid hit 6 months later and we were devastated. But, by the skin of our teeth, we survived and carried on and started building something amazing.

"Now it's over 3 years later, with a not-so-little baby Archie & a cost of living crisis too, and we feel like we have given everything we can possibly give. Blood, sweat & tears!! Lots of 'em!

"And so with that we have decided that we have come to the end of our Princess journey.

"This isn't a decision we've taken lightly but we feel like we have put every ounce of our soul into this business but sometimes things just aren't meant to be and it's time for some new faces & fresh ideas."

They gave thanks to their staff and "lovely" customers, old and new, describing them as "the heart of the pub", as well as paying tribute to those they had lost over the years, "including our number 1 customer, John Rigg".

There was also special mention for Mr Farrar's mum - "the best cleaner/kitchen assistant in the world" and the man himself, who often worked in the kitchen and created the pub's menu.

Mrs Emmett announced she will be working as a nail technician next at Blush 22, in High Street, Idle and is now looking forward to "new adventures" with their family.

The couple's last day of service was last Sunday.

The post ended: "We will miss this life, but we are so excited to see what the future brings to us, as a family."