Gingerbread pub is a sweet treat

It has taken five kilos of flour, three jars of golden syrup, eight bags of sugar and the complete and undivided attention of a hardworking grandmother.

But after three days of work, Julie Greensill has finished a gingerbread version of her daughter's Wednesfield pub.

The sugar-bursting replica of the Dog & Partridge, in the High Street, is going to be raffled off at the pub on New Year's Day in aid of Compton Hospice.

Mother-of-one Mrs Greensill, who has four grandchildren and two step grandchildren, described her work of art as a "dentist's nightmare".

"It has taken military precision to get it all finished," said the 42-year-old, of Rooker Avenue, Parkfields.

"It has cost me about £40 and I've spent about 50 hours on it from start to finish, but I think it's been worth it. It looks great and it's fantastic to be able to do something to raise money for charity." Mrs Greensill's daughter, 25-year-old Jade Jones, runs the pub with her partner, Stephen Whittall, aged 24.

He said: "There's already been a lot of interest in it. We had one offer of £400. It looks brilliant."

Raffle tickets are currently on sale at the pub.