A “heart-breaking” decision has been taken to close an iconic 400-year-old Quantocks pub from this week until March 2021 due to the corona virus.

First opened in 1608, and set in an idyllic valley, the Blue Ball Inn at Triscombe is a popular venue for locals and visitors, and only reopened in May 2019 after extensive renovations.

Owner Lynda Cook said it was with “deep regret” that, because of the pandemic, the pub could no longer provide the service customers had come to expect.

She was closing the doors but had every confidence that the Blue Ball would be back in business in early March next year.

She added: “To do this is heart-breaking, but it’s for the best and I remain optimistic about the future of the Blue Ball and I want to wish you all to stay safe and well.

“A big thank you to all the staff and customers for supporting us through these strange times.”

There were over 50 posts on social media on the day of the announcement looking forward to the re-opening from as far afield as America and New Zealand.