PUB-goers in Stourport saw in the New Year in their local after the landlord celebrated a last-minute reprieve from the brewery.

Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries, owner of The Bell, had given Barrie Rogers just four days' notice to vacate the premises before the developer buying the site stepped in.

"I expected a longer notice, but the brewery phoned up on Monday morning and said I had to be out by Friday December 21," explained Mr Rogers, 60. landlord Barrie Rogers bids farewell to The Bell as the pub closes its doors for the last time.

He took up a short-term tenancy in July knowing the Lion Hill pub had been earmarked for redevelopment.

He added: "I got in touch with Olympia Homes, the developer, and they had a word with the brewery and now I can stay until January 7.

"It wasn't until Wednesday that I knew that I could stay. The two bar staff were relieved because it had been a shock for them, thinking they could lose their jobs just before Christmas."

The listed pub, the latest Stourport hostelry to close, is to be converted into six flats and seven houses will be built on the car park.

"The Bell's one of the oldest pubs in the town and the regulars will miss it," said Mr Rogers. "I used to be the landlord of the Angel and I've known it for years and drank in here myself.

"It's a shame but the trade isn't as busy these days."