WEDDING bells are ringing at an old Herefordshire pub as one of its new landladies prepares to marry the chef, writes ANITA HOWELLS.

Emily Robb will wed German fianc Stephan Ludwig on June 26, a month after taking on the romantically set Bridge Inn at Michaelchurch Escley.

Emily will run the riverside pub near the Black Mountains with business partner Jane Straker from Abbeydore, supported by brother-in-law manager Richard Shackelford and foodie Stephan.

It could have been Stephan's recipe for oysters that proved to be the winning recipe for love. They are to feature on the pub's menu alongside tender Herefordshire lamb shanks and other county foods.

He shares his passion for food and wine with Jane, 35, who trained as a cordon bleu chef.

"We will be cooking food with integrity. Stephan is a wine enthusiast and knows what he likes to eat and Jane is a great cook," said Emily, 36, who is originally from Singapore and has worked as a barmaid since she was an undergraduate.

Together the ladies hope to develop the picturesque 14th Century pub, sold by Sydney Phillips, and support local suppliers, including the CAMRA award winning Wye Valley Brewery.

Richard said they hope to retain the pub's Herefordshire flavour: "We want this to remain as a community pub and rely on the good will of the locals," he said.