THE OWNER of a prominent pub has said that he will not be held to ransom after it had its social media account hacked. 

The Valkyrie in Evesham's Market Square has had its Facebook account with over 8,500 followers hacked in a "gutting" attack. 

The hackers have already racked up a bill of £800, deleting the pub's content as they go and have been posting content relating to Japanese comics. 

Steve Richford, owner of The Valkyrie, said: "The hackers first hacked my personal account and then took the business account as I was an admin. 

"They then removed us all off the page. 

"I've contacted Facebook numerous times and I've had all the typical responses, they are about as much use as nothing. 

"We had over 8,500 followers and we used the account for advertising our events. 

"Since the hack they changed the look to a Japanese cartoon and have racked up £800 in bills. 

"If anyone is still following that account, get out, unfollow and block it. 

"Hopefully we will get people back but it's going to take years."

The team at The Valkyrie have since had to make a new account which currently has over 800 followers since the hack on August 26. 

Click here to visit The Valkyrie's new account.

Mr Richford continued: "It's a big setback, it took us seven years to get to that point, it's not a nice feeling. 

"We've had lots of people saying that if we pay them they can get our account back but we will not be held to ransom. 

"We won't pay, we will just have to start again."

The Valkyrie used the account to advertise events such as its regular bike nights and when live bands would be playing. 

Becki Stean, events and marketing manager at The Valkyrie, said: "We lost the account exactly two weeks ago and I've been trying to get it back ever since but it's a waste of time. 

"We had built it up for years, just thinking of the events, the pictures and the history, it's gutting. 

"I could have cried, I sat there helpless as I watched them delete content from the page.

"I'm trying to message all our followers but that's a tough act, I'm determined to not let them win. 

"I think that targeted us because of our followers and I'm worried that they might start posting links to hack them too."

Facebook has been approached for comment.