WELL-LOVED country house Fallowfields near Kingston Bagpuize will close on Friday due to the owner's health issues. 

The hotel and fine-dining restaurant in Southmoor village, which is a popular wedding venue, announced its sudden closure on Facebook. 

Anthony Lloyd, who owns the hotel with his wife Peta Lloyd, wrote: "Just a word to all our friends out there that we are closing the hotel this week. Peta and I will continue living here at Fallowfields, and we both want to spend so much more time with our wonderful family.

"For me this is the end of my third career and it's time to take a break. Anyone passing by is much more than welcome to drop by for a coffee and chat."

All existing reservations, including weddings, have been cancelled.

It stopped taking bookings over the weekend, and will officially close on Friday when its last lone guest leaves. 

General manager Sven Saint-Calbre said customers have been informed and will be refunded for any deposits or vouchers.

He said: "It was a sudden closure, we told our staff at the weekend. Mr Lloyd is 71 and has closed due to health issues.

"We are very sorry that it's happened so abruptly. We thank everyone for many years of patronage."

The hotel, in Faringdon Road, has run for 21 years under Mr and Mrs Lloyd's ownership. 

They employed 11 full-time staff, most of whom Mr Saint-Calbre said have been redistributed into other hotels. 

Those who were there for more than two years will get redundancy pay. 

The hotel boasted a 4.5 star rating on Trip Advisor and 3 AA Rosettes.

Its website brings up a maintenance page stating: "Our website is currently unavailable."

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Customers have been Tweeting their sadness to see Fallowfields go.