PACKING her bags today, pub landlady Victoria Mills spoke of her disappointment at being booted out.Regulars at the award-winning Old Mariner pub launched a campaign to save the 100-hours-a-week landlady after she was told to leave her premises.

PACKING her bags today, pub landlady Victoria Mills spoke of her disappointment at being booted out.

Regulars at the award-winning Old Mariner pub launched a campaign to save the 100-hours-a-week landlady after she was told to leave her premises.

Victoria Mills, 24, received notice this week that she had to vacate the Old Mariner in New Street, Woodbridge, and hand back the pub.

The decision has been made by GRS Inns, who manage the pub on behalf of Pubmaster, and their letter to Miss Mills did not state a reason for their decision.

No one from GRS Inns was available for comment as the Star went to press today.

Miss Mills said bosses had been concerned about the decline in barrels that she had been ordering and selling. She also refused to open all day, which managers want.

Miss Mills has displayed notices in the pub to thank everyone for their 'friendship, custom and support'.

She said today: "I had a phone call last night to say I had to be out by 9am, but they are giving me a bit of grace and I have until tonight now. I'm packing up and shipping out.

"I am a bit glad that it has happened suddenly rather than building up to a leaving party as that would have made me feel so sad.

"I have found a job with a local firm, will move back in with my mum and save up to move back to Woodbridge."

She added: "The company didn't seem to care that the regulars were happy."

Miss Mills started as a part-time bar assistant, became pub manager and then took over the licence last July.

The pub won the title of Best Woodbridge Pub in last year's Evening Star Pub of the Year competition.

The pub which was built in 1814, was used by Pubmaster in 1998 to promote the company nationally because it was so successful.