IT was three cheers for the regulars and staff of the Haden Cross pub this week after Sandwell Council refused planning permission for a supermarket to be built on the car park.

The council threw out the New River application to build a Co-op superstore after 56 people objected and a 442 signature petition was handed in.

The pub was packed on Tuesday night for a meeting of the Friends of Haden Cross Inn when plans for the future were discussed.

Chairman of the Friends of Haden Cross Inn, Tim Haskey, said: "We are over the moon about the planning application being turned down and hopefully New River will not try again because of how conclusive the refusal was.

"However, there is nothing stopping them trying to change the whole pub into a supermarket so we want to turn the place into a community asset.

"We are looking into everything we can about securing this wonderful pub and our long term goal is to buy the place for the community so it will be safe forever."

Cradley Heath and Old Hill Councillor Ann Shackleton said: "I am delighted as I have been involved with this issue from the start and supported the newly formed friends group with their campaign.

"It is a triumph for people in the local community who have come together to fight the proposals and achieve an outcome that is right for their neighbourhood.

"However, the campaign continues to safeguard this highly valued, viable, public amenity."

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris and Labour's parliamentary candidate Stephanie Peacock spoke at the meeting.

Mr Morris said: "I worked on the Localism Bill in Parliament and hopefully it can be used to safeguard the pub.

"The supermarket planning application was extraordinary and it was no surprise it was turned down."

Miss Peacock said: "We need to do as much as we can to save pubs like the Haden Cross and I will be looking into helping the friends group as much as I can over the coming years."