A BAD smell forced a Haverfordwest pub to close on what should have been one of its busiest nights.

On Friday, the William Owen in Quay Street was cleared of customers after a suspected water leak filled the air with what one diner described as 'the smell of excrement'.

"We arrived at around 4.45pm and the place was packed," she said.

"We ordered food and when it came to dessert we noticed the whole place clearing.

"A member of our party went to the bar and came back saying that the place was stinking of excrement.

"A staff member apologised and said that the place was now shut because of the smell.

"As we left staff were turning people away at the door."

Notices were placed in all the windows, and the pub remains closed.

A spokesman for Wetherspoons said the terrible smell was "not connected to any toilet sewerage issue and appears to be a water leak from the glass wash or kitchen and grease deposits".

A maintenance team has been working to deal with the leak, and experts have also been called in to assess the damage and carry out repairs.

It is hoped the pub will re-open this Thursday, September 27.