After more than a decade at the helm with many awards along the way, Ben and Sarah Handley have now had their last service at a Norfolk pub.

The couple, who live in Snettisham, have been the tenants of The Duck Inn in Stanhoe since Valentine's Day in 2013.

It has become popular with locals and tourists alike and regularly features in the coveted annual list by Estrella Damm of the UK's top 50 gastropubs.

For the final service on Sunday, July 9, with its award-winning roasts on offer, many regulars and former staff members came along to bid the couple farewell.

Eastern Daily Press: Ben Handley was the chef patron of The Duck Inn in Stanhoe Picture: Andrew Waddison / AW PRBen Handley was the chef patron of The Duck Inn in Stanhoe Picture: Andrew Waddison / AW PR (Image: Andrew Waddison / AW PR)

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The pair gave notice to the building owner Elgood’s Brewery in February this year. 

Mr Handley, the chef patron, said: "The team over the years at The Duck Inn has been so inspiring, delivering consistently good service and products.

"The support from customers, producers and suppliers has also been outstanding." 

Speaking about the reason for leaving, he added: "We have had 10 very good years, but the recovery period for hospitality after the pandemic has been more difficult than I anticipated financially.

Eastern Daily Press: The award-winning Duck Inn gastropub in Stanhoe Picture: Andrew Waddison / AW PRThe award-winning Duck Inn gastropub in Stanhoe Picture: Andrew Waddison / AW PR (Image: Andrew Waddison / AW PR)

"I am also approaching 49 and realistically there is a shelf-life of working the way I do, which is very hands-on."

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He has now booked onto a seafarers course, with the hope of cooking on super yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Eastern Daily Press: The Duck Inn is in good hands with Jeremy and Rachael Parke Picture: Angela Sharpe The Duck Inn is in good hands with Jeremy and Rachael Parke Picture: Angela Sharpe (Image: Archant 2013)

Mrs Handley will continue to manage The Hunworth Bell where they are long-term tenants, but this pub has also gone on the market. 

Taking the reins at The Duck Inn from Monday, July 17 are couple Rachael and Jeremy Parke, previously of No.Twenty9 Burnham Market.

While Mrs Parke's talents are in front-of-house, Mr Parke is an award-winning chef and he was named the best in Norfolk twice at the EDP Food and Drink Awards when the pair ran the now-closed Relish in Newton Flotman.