A PUB which was owned by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has been sold for an undisclosed sum after being put on the market with a guide price of £795,000.

It was reported in July 2013 that Mr White had bought the 16th century Horse and Groom Inn at Charlton, near Malmesbury.

At the time he already owned the Pear Tree Inn at Whitley, near Melksham, and Rudloe Hall Hotel in Corsham, at the time and the Horse and Groom was branded a Wheelers Inn.

Mr White, who grew up on a Leeds council estate, trained under Albert Roux at Mayfair’s Le Gavroche.

By the time he was 33, Marco Pierre White had become the youngest and the first British chef to be awarded three Michelin stars in England.

However his dream of a pub empire seem to have turned sour as he shut the Pear Tree last year. It has now been listed as community asset to help preserve its place in the Melksham village and Punch Taverns has said it could reopen in May.

Acting on behalf of RBS, specialist property adviser Christie + Co sold the Horse and Groom to the operators who own two other successful pubs - Tunnel House near Cirencester and The Crown at Giddeahall.

It is described as being surrounded by glorious countryside, with accommodation in the form of five spacious and beautifully appointed en-suite rooms, a superb restaurant and two detached outbuildings suitable for conversion.

Nicholas Calfe, director at Christie + Co’s Bristol office, said: "There is a dwindling supply of freehold pub assets in the market, so the instruction to sell a premium property such as the Horse & Groom generated both significant and competitive interest.”

A couple who visited in the Horse and Groom in March wrote on TripAdvisor.co.uk: "Nic and I couldn't wait to get back to a pub we love to visit and had a very nice evening where staff were friendly, attentive and really looked after us. A big change from the previous visit under the Knorr chap but that's now long forgotten! Food was great and we ll be back..."

And another reviewer said: "After the previous owners had let this place go, the new ones had a tough job on their hands. But boy have they exceeded expectations. I went for Sunday lunch today with my parents who live in the village and my young son. A warm welcome greeted us, service was attentive, food was out of this world and the presentation was fantastic.

"Cannot wait to go back and just wish I had this place as my local. Well done to the new owners."