A BIRCHWOOD firm has been selected to help transform the King's Head pub and make it Warrington's 'jewel in the crown'.

Councillors granted the pub, on Winwick Street, permission to build an extension during a Town Hall meeting last month following a long-running planning battle.

The existing conservatory will now be replaced with a brick alternative.

Architecture and interior designs firm DV8 Designs will carry out the work at the grade II listed building following discussions with landlord Andrew Fannon.

Lee Birchall, managing director of DV8, which is situated at Birchwood Park, said: "The popular King's Head pub had built a conservatory that unfortunately didn't fit with the council's building regulations.

"The council consequently originally ordered for the building addition to be removed but punters who affectionately referred to the conservatory as 'The Shed' began a 'Save Our Shed' petition.

"After deliberation between the parties to allow a solution to be met, Warrington Borough Council agreed planning permission, and this is where DV8 Designs has stepped in to help.

"As a Warrington local, I'm proud to help come to an agreement regarding the matter and work alongside the King's Head to create a new brick extension to be enjoyed by guests for many years to come.

"Although DV8 Designs has recently completed work across the UK, there's always something special about returning to my home town of Warrington and it's especially rewarding to resolve a matter close to the hearts of so many."

The project will see the removal of the existing uPVC conservatory and demolition of a boundary wall to make way for a new brick extension.

Work is set to begin imminently.

Mr Fannon said: "I would like to thank Lee and his team for the hard work that they have put into making the new extension possible, which will now not only cater for our supportive customers, but also a conference centre and function room to meet the changing needs of the Stadium Quarter in Warrington.

"With our location directly facing Central station, the main railway station between Manchester and Liverpool, Lee has designed a structure that will help us to become Warrington's jewel in the crown."