Drinkers were forced to flee The Argus Butterfly pub, in Peterlee, last night after a fire broke out in the function room.

Firefighters from across east Durham battled the large blaze, which has left the pub uninhabitable.

It comes just weeks after new licensees celebrated taking over the pub where rock group Led Zeppelin once played in the 1960s.

Two crews from Peterlee Fire Station raced to the scene in the town's York Road at around 7pm and were soon joined by two more crews from Wheatley Hill and Seaham fire stations.

The function room was empty at the time and everyone in the pub got out safely by the time help arrived.

Malcolm Wade, the watch manager from Peterlee Fire Station, said: "When we came around the corner we could see thick acrid smoke coming from the roof vents.

"It was a developing fire so we had to get inside as soon as possible, but because of the smoke it was quite difficult to get access to it.
"The heat was tremendous. The cause is as yet unknown."

The bar area in the function room and a kitchen suffered the most damage.

Fire investigators will now try to establish how the fire started.

The Mail reported in April that friends Martin Wilson, 23, and Daniel Weegram, 22, had taken over the pub.

They brought in a top new chef for its restaurant and told how they intended to attract punters with regular entertainment acts.