ONE of the oldest pubs in the town centre has opened its doors again after it closed two months ago for a major facelift.

The Rifleman's Arms has been a fixture in Regent Street since 1856.

It closed on September 29 to allow the £500,000 project to start and officially re-opened yesterday after preview openings over the weekend.

Brewery Wolverhampton and Dudley funded the project, which has created 40 new jobs, the aim of which was to revamp the pub's image. The pub now offers food and welcomes families.

Landlord of five years Dave Howells said: "I am looking forward to the opening of the Rifleman's and to offering our customers much more choice.

"We'll be serving food all day and we're sure everyone will love the bright new look."

He organised a big party for the re-opening with tales and memorabilia of the pub's existence.

He said: "I want to have pictures of the pub as it was. One of my locals said that his mum is 90 and she used to come in here, and I thought there must be more people like her."