A WEST Somerset pub and restaurant has cut its links with a military charity helping former servicemen and women rebuild their lives.

The Smugglers Inn at Blue Anchor became the second in a planned network of retreats launched by Afghan Heroes in June.

But the organisation confirmed this week that it was no longer involved with the business, which had been renamed the Smuggled Retreat but has now reverted to its original title.

The charity was set up by Denise Harris, of Shepton Mallet, after her son Corporal Lee Scott lost his life while serving in Afghanistan in 2009.

Although the Smugglers continued to trade as a pub and restaurant, the aim of the link-up was to also offer accommodation to a total of five former services personnel finding the transition to civvy street difficult.

In addition to a roof over their heads, they would have received help to retrain in a new career and prepare themselves for life outside the military.

However, in a statement, Mrs Harris said it was with great regret that the trustees of the charity had decided on October 27 not to pursue the ambition to open a post service facility at the Smugglers.

She said the decision was due to a combination of issues brought to their attention.

"The trustees were made aware of a restrictive covenant on the building which means we are not permitted to have any people other than the family of the operators living there," said Mrs Harris.

"Clearly this would not have allowed us to move our former services personnel into the building.

"This, combined with some personnel difficulties, made it impossible to progress the project as planned.

"The trustees took the view it was better to look for better opportunities elsewhere."

Mrs Harris said a small amount of the charity's money had been spent on refurbishing part of the premises but this had been recouped through takings operating the business during the summer.

Smugglers owner and landlord Simon Curtis said he was disappointed that the scheme had not got off the ground as everyone had hoped.

"It's a planning restriction basically and there's nothing that can be done about it."

But he said the Smugglers had now re-adopted its former identity and was proving popular with the locals.

"It's no good crying over spilt milk. We've brought back the old menus and I've put my stamp back on the inside of the building.

"I've had a lot of support from people in the area, which is great."

Afghan Heroes said the decision relating to the Smugglers would not affect any service personnel or the operation of the charity's first outlet, The Retreat at Ashcott, near Street.