Gloucestershire's oldest pub is set to reopen by the end of the year - more than 700 years after it poured its first drink.

Ye Olde Black Bear on the junction of Tewkesbury's High Street and Mythe Road has a sign on its outside  (right) saying it has a history dating back to 1308.

English Heritage question that, saying that it probably dates back to an even earlier date.

Despite its rich history, the doors of the timber-framed pub that sits on the banks of the River Avon were closed and it has been moth-balled ever since.

Plans were submitted to bring the age-old boozer back to life and those proposals, submitted by Rags UK Ltd - a company registered in Ross-on-Wye were approved in December.

Work is set to start soon, with the Pub owners taking to social media to give an update on the progress of the work.

They said: "We are now busy with appointing contractors to carry out the work and we will be fully sympathetic to the building, that has been part of Tewkesbury life for centuries.

"We cannot give an opening date for the pub because our priority is the execution of the plan, rather than opening ASAP.

"However, we do expect to be able to invite you all to the opening by the end of this year."

"Can we publicly thank everyone... for supporting our application to renovate the Black Bear. Your support did make a difference in concentrating the minds of the decision makers."