A LEGENDARY North Yorkshire pub which had been consigned to the history books has been saved from the property developers.

It was feared that the Saltersgate Inn, between Pickering and Whitby, would be turned into holiday flats and with its demise would end a 200-year-old myth surrounding its famous peat fire.

Since 1648, the inn has provided a refuge for weary travellers and local folklore says in 1800 salt smugglers killed a Customs and Excise officer and then buried his corpse in the fireplace.

Last year, the owners applied to North York Moors National Park for permission to turn the building into 13 holiday homes, and until then, it is said, the fire had never been allowed to go out for fear of the excise-man’s ghost would return to haunt the area.

Local builder Joe Woodhead has since bought the property and has vowed to restore the historic traveller’s rest.

The 33-year-old, who lives in Low Marishes, said: “As I live in the local area I know the pub is a local landmark and it has a great deal of potential. The plan is to restore the bar area, upgrade the nine rooms and specialise in good restaurant food.

“I know everybody will be wondering about the fire. We haven’t touched the original fireplace and it will be re-lit when we re-open, hopefully in spring next year.”

Local historian Peter Walker, who researched the folk tale for his book Murders and Mysteries of the North York Moors, is delighted the famous inn has been given a reprieve.

He said the myth was picked up by writers of the Heartbeat series who had their own fire in the Aidensfield Arms during early episodes of the long-running ITV series. He said: “This is tremendous news and I’m pleased that such an important part of our local folklore has not been allowed to disappear. For hundreds of years the inn has provided a haven for travellers and I delighted that this will continue into the future.”