BLACK Country Ales has announced it has purchased a former bank in Bewdley with plans to transform it into a real ale pub.

The company announced at the end of March that they had completed the purchase of the former Barclays Bank, in Load Street, and hoped they would get permission to turn it into a real ale pub stocking beers from their brewery in Lower Gornal.

A spokesman for Black Country Ales said: "The company will apply for permission to covert 67 Load Street into a real ale public house.

"If successful in obtaining a premises licence the building will be converted into a traditional pub with an old fashioned feel.

"It will serve beers from the historic Black Country Ales brewery, in Lower Gornal, and also a wide range of ever-changing guest beers from around the UK.

"If the project is given the green light by Wyre Forest District Council Licensing Department, the scheme is expected to take several months to complete."

The spokesman added: "The proposed pub is currently unnamed and the company will seek a name that reflects the traditional feel of the pub and the locality - suggestions are welcome.

"Licensees with a keen passion for real ales and customer service will also need to be appointed."

The Barclays Bank branch in Bewdley closed its doors in August 2014.