Bayston Hill lorry crash leaves Three Fishes pub partially destroyed

"I was really looking forward to finishing the last week of trading and giving the pub a really good send off," Mr Duerden said, having finalised the building's sale.

He said he was now talking to his insurers, but was "truly thankful" for all the messages of support he had received.

Mr Duerden has lived in the village for 38 years, having grown up there, and was "absolutely devastated" by what had happened.

"For the foreseeable future the business will be closed, I'm not sure where we go from here," he added.

The owners of the Hong Kong City takeaway, which escaped damage, did not want to talk, but Mr Duerden said their business was also an important part of the community.