AN EXHAUSTED pub manager who has worked seven days a week by herself for nine weeks has put a collection box on the bar to raise enough money for her to pay a member of staff.

Jeanette Thompson, 47, only wanted a part-time job at the Blue Bell, Bishopton, near Stockton, as a barmaid but when the previous tenants left unexpectedly the former pub landlady took the place on as an emergency measure.

She is now worn out and so is appealing for money to help her pay someone £100 a week so she can keep the well-known country pub open at least until after Christmas.

Ms Thompson, of Newton Aycliffe, said she asked the owners of the property, her employers, for financial help of £100 so she could take someone else on for a few hours but says the idea has so far been rejected.

She placed a collection box on a bar and has already raised £100 which will help her keep the pub going for another week.

Businesses in the area, including two restaurants and a golf club, as well as many ordinary villagers, have donated prizes for a raffle.

"Everyone has really rallied round," said Ms Thompson, who explained she is paid a percentage of the takings. "I do love the place and I think it would be lovely for the village to have a pub open until after Christmas.

"I ran pubs for 18 years and this is a really lovely one. They offered me the chance to become a tenant but I couldn't invest in it. I just wanted a part-time job."

Ms Thompson, who has done all the cleaning work as well as dealing with the financial side and all other responsibilities, handed in her notice but was told that the landlords would shut the pub. "I told them, 'I can't let you shut the pub, it's not fair on the village.' Nobody wants it to close."

The Blue Bell was previously run by tenants who would be expected to take on all running costs, including staff. However Ms Thompson has been appointed as a manager, an employee, and she believes she should be offered more support.

The pub is owned by Hawthorn Leisure who bought it as one of 275 pubs across the country in a recent deal with the Greene King group. The company was contacted but was not able to comment over the weekend without more information. However a spokesman is investigating and a response is expected in the coming days.