AN historic pub is set to be sacrificed for a new Co-op supermarket.

The Waggon and Horses, on Bewdley's Kidderm-inster Road, will be demolished in favour of a 5,500 sq ft store - more than double the size of the existing one in Load Street - if West Midlands Co-op's planning application to be submitted later this year is approved.

The Co-op has already exchanged contracts for the sale of the pub with the owner, Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries, and has promised the development would create 40 new jobs.

Wyre Forest District Council, which will make the decision, confirmed the red brick building was not listed but the plans have shocked landlord Stephen Eaton.

"It's at least 100 years old and we've been here since 1986. The first we knew of this was a phone call from the Co-op last week."

The pub has a 15-space car park at the side and land at the back that would be used in the development.

Stephen Clee, a town and district councillor for Bewdley and a member of the district council's planning (development control) committee, said the scheme is "dead in the water before it gets going".

He added: "It's totally inappropriate. It goes against the Local Plan - the area in question is zoned for housing.

"It would be disastrous for shops in the town centre and it will be resisted by the local community. I feel it's one of the most attractive pubs we've got in Bewdley."

A spokesman for Co-op said: "The Co-op's convenience store in Load Street will not be affected by the plans and will continue to trade as normal. The idea is to pick up passing trade."