ONE of the oldest buildings in the city has re-launched to drinkers after an extensive refurbishment.

The Lamb and Flag which was bought by Two Crafty Brewers in October last year, now includes an Italian restaurant called Sugo.

The layout of the bottom floor has also been changed, to make two separate rooms into an open-plan layout and on Sunday the pub opened to show off its new look.

Richard Bartram and Ken Morgan, who own Two Crafty Brewers, said: "We wanted to add a pub in Worcester to what we have already.

"We were told that the pub was available for sale, and it had been close to closing down more than once so a bit of a change was needed.

"We are still very much a Guinness pub, we are the biggest seller of it in Worcestershire and we want to continue that along with adding our own craft beers, ales and ciders.

"The idea behind the restaurant is that places have to be able to sell food as well as drink now.

"We spoke to Marcello (the head chef) and asked if he thought he could do anything with it, and he thought that he could.

"We do not have the same amount of pedestrians going past here as the Cathedral Square development or the pubs right in the centre, so we have to offer something extra."

The duo who come from West Bromwich, have two other pubs although this is their first in Worcestershire.

The pair bought the building, which has been standing since the 1700s, after former tenant Gary Jones decided he did not want to run the pub anymore, having had the pub in his family for 45 years with his father Don running it previously.

The family rented the pub from former owners Marston's PLC.

Mr Jones, who ran the pub for 18.5 years before deciding to leave, attended the pub for the first time since leaving at its relaunch.

He said: "It is strange being back, I was here from when I was 7 years old.

"I have to say I don't really miss it, renting a pub is the hardest way to do it and it is not very profitable as well as being a 24/ 7 job, it is a completely different situation now it is a free house.

"I used to enjoy it more in my first few years but drinking has changed, there are less dedicated drinkers and I started to dread Saturday nights and the trouble they caused.

"I was a bit worried for the community that this pub had when I left and where the regulars would go, but the pub has retained its spirit, and actually a lot of things are still there.

"Most of the regulars still seem to have stuck by the pub which I was pleased to see, the place needed a bit of work and I am really impressed by the work that has been done by Richard and Ken."