DOZENS of jobs are to be created with the opening this summer of a new town centre pub.

Brewers Wetherspoon are to open their second inn in 18 months in the area following their revamp of a Congleton bank.

The company is to spend £1.1 million on transforming long-vacant premises in Biddulph High Street into an ale house.

Wetherspoon was granted planning permission and a licence for the pub despite claims from landlords in the town that it would attract drunks and trouble-makers.

They also said that the new pub, which is to be called The Bradley Green, would put them out of business.

The pub chain has about 480 inns across the UK, and plans to start work at the end of this month on converting a vacant two-storey building.

The pub would be capable of seating 150 people, plus a further 75 in a beer garden to the rear.

Wetherspoon press officer Eddie Gershon said the title of the new pub was chosen to reflect Biddulph's original name.

"The Bradley Green will create 25 to 30 full and part time jobs, and we aim to open early in July," he said.

"We opened The Counting House in Congleton 18 months ago, which has been a great success, and the building chosen for the Bradley Green is in a good position in the town centre."

BY IAN ROSS