Paul's in-laws sell up to end village pub row

PAUL Hollywood's in-laws have sold their 600-year-old pub and ended a bitter row with villagers who have declared "war is over".

- Isaac Crowson

The Bake Off star's wife Melissa and her parents sparked fury by planning to turn the loss-making Kent hostelry into a home.

The council's approval of the move led to the family receiving "unforgivable" abuse over plans for the Grade-II listed property.

Now The Chequers Inn, in the village of Smarden, near Ashford, has finally been sold to an unnamed buyer for up to £1million and to the delight of villagers is reopening as a pub this week.

Locals say the "wounds will start to heal" between Wallasey-born Hollywood who has invested thousands of pounds to keep the pub running - and the community.