A pub has been prosecuted after a customer fell several feet down an open cellar hatch and later died.

Owners of the Crown pub in Shoreham high street admitted failing to report the accident on April 29 2010.

Sevenoaks magistrates heard customer William Eldridge fell more than 7ft through an open cellar hatch in the bar floor.

But as he waited for an operation to a broken leg from the fall 52-year-old Mr Eldridge developed pneumonia and later died, the court heard.

Dickins Bartholomew LLP, the pub owners, failed to report the accident under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).

The court heard this failure affected Sevenoaks District Council's ability to thoroughly investigate the accident.

But, although Dickens Bartholomew admitted the breach, it had already left the pub by the time of the prosecution, and was winding up its partnership with serious financial problems.

Cllr Elaine Bracken the council’s cabinet member for environmental health and regulation, said after the case: "This is a tragic story and demonstrates the importance of following health and safety guidelines and procedures.

"Businesses have the responsibility not only for their employees and customers, but also to anybody else who could be harmed by their work activities."