A popular city centre boozer has been named Town Pub of the Year by the 2019 Good Pub Guide.

The Old Joint Stock, which overlooks Birmingham Cathedral, has been handed the prestigious title by the independent annual travel guide which lists the UK's best pubs.

The pub is housed in the grade II-listed former Joint Stock Bank in Temple Row West and even has its own small theatre upstairs which regularly hosts plays and other live performances.

The judging panel cited the pub's lively atmosphere, flamboyant interior, all-day popular food and theatre as the reasons it took the top spot.

The Old Joint Stock
The Old Joint Stock

Owned by brewery Fuller's, it was converted into a pub in the 1990s with the theatre added in 2006.

General manager Paul Bancroft said: "My team and I are delighted to pick up such a prestigious award."

The Old Joint Stock is one of several former banks in Birmingham city centre now housing bars and cafés.

Lost & Found, Cosy Club and The Briar Rose, all in Bennetts Hill, were once home to National Provincial Bank, Midland Bank and Commercial Union Assurance respectively while the old HSBC in Colmore Row is now Pret a Manger.