Closed after more than 700 years of serving customers from its riverside location - and now in a state of disrepair - it looks like the county's oldest pub could be saved.

A sign on the outside of Ye Olde Black Bear at the junction of High Street and Mythe Road claims its history as a public house dates back to 1308.

English Heritage, however, question this - suggesting it probably pre-dates 1308 by some years.

But earlier this year the doors of the timber-framed two-storey Avon-side closed and the pub has since moth-balled ever since.

Rumours circulated of its future and reports of the need of at least £300,000 of investment to bring it back to life, and plans have sat with the borough council since the summer awaiting a decision.

Those plans, submitted by Rags UK Ltd, a company registered in Ross-on-Wye run by 54-year-old Graham Brian Haynes, have now been approved.

Proposals for the Grade II star listed building include internal and external alterations, a new canopy over its terrace, a new flat roof over its courtyard and rooflights and lanterns.

In a letter to Tewkesbury Borough Council, considered by planners, English Heritage said: "We understand the public house has been closed for approximately a year and is now under new ownership and management.

"The building holds considerable communal value as one of the oldest, if not the oldest public house in Gloucestershire, and we agree aware of the local a support for its continued use as a public house which we consider is consistent with its conservation."