A SUFFOLK pub will be cutting back on the number of live folk music performances it has in a month.The King's Head in Laxfield, which is known locally as the Low House because of its position in a valley, will no longer host traditional, country music every Tuesday.

A SUFFOLK pub will be cutting back on the number of live folk music performances it has in a month.

The King's Head in Laxfield, which is known locally as the Low House because of its position in a valley, will no longer host traditional, country music every Tuesday.

Instead people will only be able to turn up to the Victorian pub with their instruments once a month.

However a pub in the nearby village has stepped in and musicians will be able to play their tunes there.

Charlie Haylock travels from his home in Sudbury to the Low House, which has been largely untouched by time.

He said: "Since the year dot it has had music there on a Tuesday afternoon weekly and it's been the subject of reviews in the papers, periodicals, television programmes, radio programmes and a film so it's a famous spot.

"The present landlord and lady decided that they would cut it down to monthly.

"Several pubs in the area have offered to take it on board and the Stradbroke Queen's Head will now be the venue.

"It is a very sad occasion. It's a major part of our history and tradition. It is changing our heritage. People turn up from miles around on a Tuesday afternoon knowing that there will be music."

George Coleman, who has been the landlord of the pub for five years, said: "I said we will do it once a month instead of once a week for numerous reasons, which I don't want to go into. I haven't taken the decision lightly."

He said the pub would now have its live music, which includes folk music, accordion and fiddler players, on the first Tuesday of every month "if the people want to come".

His wife Maureen added that the pub had only been a weekly music venue for 12 years after the previous owners introduced it, so it was not a centuries-old tradition.

Elaine May, who took over the ownership of the Queen's Head, in Stradbroke, with her husband only two weeks ago, said: "We were approached by a musician who stated that they had to find a new venue for their music and would we be interested in taking them on on a Tuesday.

"They had other public houses in the area interested in doing it. Fortunately for us, they chose to come here.

"It's brand new for us and a brand new start for them so hopefully it will be a good combination."

She said that she and her husband were hoping the musical afternoons would be a permanent fixture and would not only be entertaining but would also bring in more custom.

She added: "From a business point of view, their loss is our gain."

The Low House will start to host the music evenings on the first Tuesday in every month starting from July 6.