THE Swan pub, Long Lane, which was in danger of being bulldozed to make way for a supermarket last year, has been taken over by a popular brewery.

Black Country Ales, which also runs The Whitley, Stourbridge Road and 30 real ale pubs across the West Midlands, have announced they have saved The Swan.

BCA announced the news on its Twitter and Facebook pages to the relief of patrons who were uncertain about the future of the pub.

A BCA spokesman said: "We are delighted to announce our intention to refurbish and reopen The Swan in Long Lane.

"This lovely local was under threat of redevelopment into a convenience store, but Halesowen and Stourbridge ale lovers, including local CAMRA chairman Simon Hanson, and Councillor Jeff Hill, launched a vigorous campaign to stop the pub from disappearing.

He added: "Following our completed purchase, we look forward to launching The Swan in late summer as a traditional real ale house which serves it's community with our customary passion and attention to detail."

Halesowen North Councillor Jeff Hill is delighted The Swan was kept out of the hands of developers.

He said: "The campaign to stop this pub being knocked down and replaced by another supermarket was an important one to win.

"Local people or businesses did not another supermarket so it is wonderful the future of the pub has been secured by Black Country Ales."

Kay Churchill wrote on the Black Country Ales Facebook page: "Lets hope The Swan now gets back to a decent pub as there are not many left round here."

"I worked there for few years in the late 1980sand the early 90s, it was fab place then, lots of great memories."