THE landlord of a village pub has died suddenly.

Barry Hadley's body was found in the cellar of the Old Inn, Bishop's Hull, at lunchtime today (Friday).

Cllr John Hunt paid tribute to Mr Hadley, saying: "It's very sad. He was a nice guy trying to run a business and doing a good job.

"He was putting on good food and the pub was getting more popular.

"He was fairly new to the area.

"As residents in the village, we desperately want a nice village pub and he was doing his best to provide that."

A spokesperson from Ei Publican Partnerships, which owns the pub, said: “We are aware of this tragic incident and are assisting the police with their enquiries.

"We would like to offer Mr Hadley’s family and friends our deepest and most sincere condolences and have also offered them our full support.”

A social event for the Netherclay Community Woodland group planned to be held at the Old Inn this evening has been cancelled.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "We were called to Bishop's Hull Road at 1.30pm today following the discovery of a man's body in an address.

"The man's death is not currently being treated as suspicious at this stage.

“Enquiries are ongoing."