A country pub credited with introducing chicken in a basket to the nation is at the centre of a mystery after the dish was dropped from the menu after almost 50 years.

The Mill Inn, at Withington in the Cotswolds, which popularised the chicken dinner in the mid-1960s, has axed it without explanation.

The idyllic Gloucestershire pub, where punters have long enjoyed summer evenings eating in its beer garden beside the trickling river Coln, was a pioneer of pub grub.

Now brewery Samuel Smith has dropped its signature dish and refused to explain why to customers.

Gloucestershire County Council chairman, Mavis, Lady Dunrossil, said the pub was widely believed to have been the first in the country to offer the dish.

She said: "It did put The Mill on the map for young people at the time.

"When it came along in the mid Sixties, chicken in a basket was something special, and I remember my children enjoying it. A lot of people came from miles away to try it and you would find the car park absolutely jammed full.

"It is a great pity. I can only speculate that it is because of regulations or health and safety.

"Tourism is one of this county's biggest sources of income and when you have a special line that can attract people it is a very sad when it goes."

A neighbour of the pub said: "It's a pity as The Mill is a nice venue and it's a nice hearty meal."

Another resident added: "I've had chicken in a basket and it was lovely.

"It's silly they're not sticking to it; they've started doing pies down there and people aren't very pleased about it."

Speaking from Samuel Smith's London office, area manager Con Scully declined to give the reason behind the dumping of the dish.

He said: "I just don't feel the need to comment. I'm sorry if that sounds rude. We decide what we sell."

Asked if the chicken in a basket was removed for commercial reasons Mr Scully remained silent.

The Mill's owners, Karl and Julie Phillips, are on holiday and their relief manager said she did not know what was behind the menu change.