Lyndhurst pub offers Christmas help after butcher goes bust

A sign in the window of The New Forest Butcher said it had gone out of business due to "rising energy bills"

A pub has stepped in to help people find meat for their Christmas dinners after a butchers ceased trading.

A sign appeared in the window of The New Forest Butcher in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, stating it had gone bust because of "rising energy bills".

It apologised and added it would not be able to honour Christmas orders.

The Stag Hotel said it was working with its supplier to provide last-minute turkey and beef at wholesale prices to those who had been "let down".

Pub owner Maria Harris said she "could have cried" when she saw an elderly lady react to the notice on the window of the empty shop.

"It's completely appalling," she told the BBC, adding: "They've probably taken about 100 orders for Christmas that they can't fulfil."

When asked why she offered to help, Ms Harris said it was down to her passion for Lyndhurst's high street.

"If this high street survives, our business survives," she said.

The sign cited "slow custom" as another reason for the business's closure

The sign said the closure happened on 13 December but Ms Harris said many customers only realised it had shut when they went to pick up their Christmas Day orders.

Ms Harris said her own business takings were down about 40% and so she was unable to give away any meat for free.

But she said she was working with her supplier to offer trade prices and urged anyone affected to contact her.

The BBC has approached The New Forest Butcher for comment.