Calls to protect 65 pubs after Crooked House fire

The Crooked House was known for its sloping walls and floor

Dozens of historic pubs have been nominated for special protection in a scheme inspired by the shock demolition of the 18th Century Crooked House.

The sloping pub in Himley, near Dudley, was destroyed in an arson attack and knocked down without permission.

Pub lovers have nominated 65, including 15 from the West Midlands, in just over a fortnight since the project from the area's combined authority began.

Pubs will be examined on a case-by-case basis on how they can be protected.

The List Your Local campaign was launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) to protect the region's public houses.

People can put forward pubs they think are of historical significance through the WMCA website and so far 155 nominations have been submitted for 65 pubs, including some as far afield as Newcastle.

A total of 25 are already listed and the remaining 40 will be examined on a case-by-case basis.

The pub in Himley, near Dudley, was demolished less than two days after the fire broke out in August

Pubs can be protected by two forms of status - Historic England listings or being listed as an asset of community value.

Listings managed by Historic England, which looks after the country's historic environment, are protected by legislation.

Demolition or alterations of listed buildings without planning permission is subject to a two-year prison sentence or unlimited fine.

The Crooked House was not listed at the time it was destroyed and of about 1,200 pubs in the combined authority area, only 133 are listed by Historic England.

West Midlands mayor and WMCA chairman Andy Street said he asked people to get in touch as while it believed it had identified "some of the most at-risk historical pubs" in the region, it needed to ensure it was "helping to protect the right venues".

Camra said it would urge members of the public to continue to submit information.