Van Morrison in pub wrangle

Rock star Van Morrison 'virtually decimated' business at a pub after pulling out of a one-off concert, the High Court heard yesterday.

The 57-year-old Irish musician is being sued for £400,000 in damages after allegedly destroying the reputation of pub landlord Gary Marlow.

Takings at the 16th-century Crown Hotel in Everleigh, Wiltshire, plummeted from more than £10,000 a week to almost nothing as regulars boycotted the pub following last August's cancelled concert.

Mr Marlow, 44, who is married with a baby daughter, had to refund 1,600 fans who bought tickets and claimed Morrison never repaid a £20,000 advance he was given.

Stuart Cakebread, for the publican, said: 'None of the locals now use it for drinking or anything at all. His business has gone.'

The singer, who denies breach of contract, said he was entitled to pull out because the concert was publicised too widely. The case, which first came before the court in April, continues.