A pub landlord has hit out at roadworks which closed off an entrance to his pub on the first day of the extension of licensing laws.

Richard Scott, from the Red Lion, in High Street, Bromsgrove, said the resurfacing work in the bus station area stopped many customers coming into his premises on the first day it opened at the earlier time of 10am.

"Many of my customers come in by the rear entrance for a quick drink, but they were forced to walk up Church Street and along the High Street to get to us," said Richard.

"Thursday is a very busy day for us, especially with pensioners, and we will have lost a lot of trade."

The landlord added: "Many shops which back onto the bus station area would have suffered from this work, as would the shops in the Mill Lane area.

"I know the work needs doing, but why wasn't it done on a Sunday?"

Mike Walton, from the Highways Partnership, said the site was blocked to pedestrians by contractors to make sure work was done safely.

He said the road was not used by much traffic and access had been maintained to the rear of properties during the rest of the work.

Work on the bus station area should be completed tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday.