DRINKERS in Warminster could soon be supping real ale in an 18th century pub after an empty High Street shop was bought up at auction.

Bath-based restoration company Four County Inns Ltd plans to restore the former fish and fruit shop to its original use as a watering hole, complete with period decoration.

On Monday, Warminster Town Council gave its backing to the change of use plans and company owner Edward Toomer is confident the project will get full approval.

There had been a pub on the site called the Organ Inn since the 18th century, but it lost its licence in 1913. The Organ features in an illustrated history of the town's pubs and Mr Toomer is looking to recapture its former glory after buying the premises last month and has recruited a specialist architect to devise a masterplan.

Mr Toomer said: "I'm trying to reveal as many original features as I can and find out whether the pub actually had an organ in it. Apparently there was something similar in Beckington Castle.

"The lady from Wiltshire Historic Buildings said it dates back to the second quarter of the 18th century. But my gut feeling is that there are bits of it that are older than that."

As well as getting full planning permission, Mr Toomer also needs to gain listed building consent and the all-clear from Environmental Health officers before work can start.