Playgroup's new home - inside a pub

Forget chalkboards and sandpits, these tots are enjoying their playtime a short distance away from beer pumps and liquor bottles.

The Jolly Collier pub in Tipton has taken on a new lease of life as a home for the new playgroup, before the customers start to arrive.

The pre-school children can play with a variety of toys and games in the lounge area of the Leabrook Road pub during the weekly meetings.

The playgroup was launched this week and will run every Wednesday from 9.30am to 11am.

It has been set up by Jane Thompson, who has been running playgroups for more than 15 years.

The 65-year-old of Charter Road said: "I was looking for a venue to start a playgroup and when the landlady suggested the pub, I thought it was ideal.

"It is in the heart of the community and not being used at this time of day." She added: "The children have a good sized room to play in, and there is enough room for the parents to sit and have a cup of tea and a chat."

Landlady Margaret Horton said: "We are a community and family pub, and we are really happy to welcome the playgroup."

Kersti Davis aged 24, took her 20-month-old son Kayden along.

She said: "I know some people did raise their eyebrows when I told them the group was in a pub, but really it is just a room like any other community venue."