A restaurant boss and a key member of the trust re-building the Gloucestershire to Herefordshire canal is jumping ship.

David Penny, well-known by members of the Gloucestershire Federation of Small Businesses, is the man who runs the Herefordshire and Gloucesteshire Canal Trust's Wharf House restaurant at Over and has handled the trust's land purchases.

In his earlier days he served time at the likes of development giant Peel with his expertise in land matters later making him commercial and technical director for the canal trust's legal and project development team (L&PDT).

But after 30 years as a volunteer with the trust and the go-to man when it comes to land and property issues for other similar charities across the country, he has made the shock decision to setp down from his roles.

A statement from the trust said: "The legal and project development team, founded by David Penny, was recognised nationally as the number one in the UK in delivering economically sustainable waterways. They advised many local authorities, other canal trusts and others throughout country.

"Sadly, we to say farewell to a volunteer who has done more for the H&G Canal Restoration than any other. For over 30 years, David Penny he has freely given his time and talents to building the H&GCT to the success it is today.

"Without his unselfish dedication, planning and knowledge we would not have The Wharf House or most of the assets the H&GCT owns.

"His foresight has built a profitable business at The Wharf House. For 10 years the building of the business and seven bedrooms. Under David's cheffing, the restaurant gained it's first Rosette and has continued to be awarded the rosette until last year, when one of his young prodegyies took the cuisine to two rosettes.

"David will be very much missed by many within the trust. We wish him well with his future plans."

Mr Penny would not comment on the record to Punchline-Gloucester.com.

Its end of year results reveal Mr Penny's team's "focus of the last few years has been to deliver a five-year land bank" - which it "successfully achieved".

"Now the focus is just as much on the delivery of the projects that will take place on the acquired land. This ranges from straight canal restoration at Malswick, to delivering Newent Station. There is no chance of any shortage of volunteer work for years to come.

"Alongside this, the L&PDT, based at The Wharf House, negotiates, manages, and grows our diverse income streams delivering some £55k a year into the Canal Trust from the property portfolio we have acquired.

"This meaningful and growing income, makes the H&G Canal Trust very resilient, and sets us apart from other canal charities."

It is understood the work carried out by the L&PDT and its the responsibilities are being immediately passed to a new encumbant.

Mr Penny ran the Wharf House restaurant, not to be confused with The Wharf House Company LTD, a subsidiary wholly owned by the trust itself.

Punchline understands the restaurant business, which was awarded two AA rosettes last year - with Mr Penny also working in the sharp end as part of the kitchen's team - is facing its "best year ever" in 2019.

Last year it made a £32,000 profit.

Back up the road in Newent the trust has decided to shut its canal side pub the Malswick House - which made a loss of £62,000. A decision on its long term future is yet to be made.

End of year accounts show a £100,000 loss for The Wharf House Company LTD.

It is understood the trust is in the process of restructuring.