Owner Robert Tchenguiz plans to put his entire Laurel Pub Company in the hands of administrators after failing to find buyers for 100 loss-making outlets.

Laurel, which owns brands Slug and Lettuce, La Tasca, and Yates's as well as the Litten Tree, has become a victim of the credit crunch and suffered a sharp fall in trading following the smoking ban.

But Leighton's Litten Tree does very well and the Laurel Pub Company told the LBO that it was not one earmarked for closure.

Mr Tchenguiz plans to buy back the business with the exception of the loss making sites. However JD Wetherspoon and Blackstone's Tragus restaurant company have also expressed an interest in some of the brands.

n Meanwhile, the Barracuda Group are busy refurbishing Leighton's newest pub, the Lancer, in the premises that were previously Shades nightclub, also in Lake Street.

The Smith and Jones brand hopes to serve its first pint on Wednesday April 9.

Sarah Calderbank, spokesperson for Barracuda Group, said: "We are looking forward to opening The Lancer in Lake Street, Leighton Buzzard.

"As the former Shades nightclub, we have invested more than £800,000 in the development of the pub, opening it out with natural light, cosy booths, a garden and creating more of a pub feel and environment.

"We will be introducing a number of offers, such as breakfast from 10am, a high quality menu, including a stone-baked pizza selection, a contemporary wine list and range of real ales. Sports will be shown on plasmas and big screens and there will be a late licence at weekends, when the pub will offer more of a party atmosphere for customers.

"The Lancer will open to customers with a VIP invitation from 5pm on Wednesday April 9 and to the public from 7pm."

The Lancer has been named by Rebecca Turnball, 41, from Leighton, who wanted it named after Lancer Boss who were one of the largest employers in Leighton.

Former owner of Boss Sir Neville Bowman-Shaw said: "I look on this quite favourably. I am quite pleased. It's good to pick up on a bit of local history."