PUB staff expecting a bumper Bank Holiday weekend are counting the cost of roadworks.

The management of the Horse and Jockey pub, Far Forest, say they lost nearly £4,000 in takings because of the works on the A4117 last week.

And to add insult to injury they claim workers only took the "road closed" sign away the day after they had finished work on Friday evening.

Owner Shadia Smith said pub customers were faced with an eight-mile detour because of the works from Pound Oak to Mawley Oak.

She said: "We were expecting a busy Bank Holiday weekend but this has ruined everything.

"We're extremely annoyed about this - we were not informed about these roadworks. We cannot claim against insurance for loss of business because it is seen as essential work.

"It's hard enough for rural businesses to survive without having to put up with all this."

Mrs Smith was also fuming her staff were not allowed through barriers at the Mawley Oak side of the works even though the road was clear to the pub.

She also wanted to know why traffic lights could not be used to allow vehicles through.

Wyre Forest Highways Partnership maintenance manager Nick Yarwood said signs had been erected on the roadside to inform people in the area about the work.

He said: "We find it is the most effective way to inform people. The people at the pub must have missed it."

He said traffic lights were not practical because the road was too narrow for vehicles to pass with the restructuring work.

He added vehicles could not pass the barriers because it was a working site and would compromise safety.

He said: "It was a major restructuring work which we finished on time. I am not aware of workers taking the signs away late. It is something I will take up with the contractor."