Guests claim room of Three Swallows in Cley had mouldy walls

Robert Brett, 51, paid £144 for one night's stay at The Three Swallows, in Cley, near Blakeney, to visit the Thursford Christmas Spectacular on Saturday (November 12) but was left shocked at discovering the conditions of his room.

The Peterborough man said he was concerned the mould and damp could "make someone ill".

But a spokeswoman for the pub - which has four rooms - said it was working with the guest to "positively resolve" the situation.

Mr Brett's frustration began when he said the room he was staying in wasn't the same as the one he and his wife had booked online and after complaining, the 51-year-old claimed staff shrugged off his complaint.

Mr Brett said: "The room was advertised with a nice en suite which comes with a bath but when I turned up, I was told the image online is what the pub hopes for it to look like in a year.

"I complained but was essentially told 'that's what you have'.

"It was too late for us to go anywhere else."

After sleeping the night, Mr Brett said he was left even more "frustrated" after discovering ground coffee in the room was a month out of date.

He and his wife complained a second time in the morning when the couple were told they would be contacted about their complaint.

"It's not good enough. It could make people ill," he said.

"I haven't heard anything from them yet but we certainly won't be returning."

Sarah Edmunds, senior operations manager at Punch Pubs & Co, said: "Since its relaunch in June following a substantial investment of £200k, the Three Swallows has been incredibly well received by the community and visitors to the area.

"The management company takes great pride in the experience all guests receive and has already been aware of these specific circumstances.

"The management company are in active communication with the guests to positively resolve the situation.”