A CAMPAIGN to combat plans which threaten the future of a number of popular borough boozers is gathering momentum.

West Midlands MEPs Bill Etheridge and James Carver will hold a public meeting at the Hare and Hounds in Wollescote on Monday (March 16) to discuss their Save Our Pubs campaign.

The UKIP politicians have joined forces with locals to fight controversial proposals to build a Co-op convenience store on the pub's car park and are also opposing Aldi's plans to build a supermarket on the site of the landmark King Arthur pub in Dudley.

Mr Carver, who is also the party’s Parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge, said: "We should be raising a glass to the contribution pubs make to their local communities.

"My message is back our Save Our Pubs campaign and by doing so you will also be standing up for your local community."

Sedgley councillor Bill Etheridge, who is also the party’s Parliamentary candidate for Dudley North, added: "I urge people to attend this public meeting and learn more about the proposals for the Hare and Hounds and also hear more about the wider Save Our Pubs initiative.”

"Our popular pubs should be protected. They are not just businesses, they are not just public houses, they can be people's homes," he added.

The meeting will start at 7.30pm.