Hundreds flock to Crooked House ruins to mark six months since fire

More than 100 people returned to the ruins of the Crooked House pub to mark six months since it was destroyed.

Once known as "Britain's wonkiest" inn, the pub in Himley, near Dudley, caught fire on 5 August last year and was demolished two days later.

A memory wall was set up at the site where fans of the iconic pub shared their memories on Saturday.

More than 35,000 people have thrown their support behind a campaign to see the pub rebuilt brick by brick.

"We're commemorating that moment with a memory wall here for people to put their memories, their feelings, what they want to happen," said Paul Turner, from the Save the Crooked House Campaign.

Dudley North MP Marco Longhi, who had fought for a law to protect heritage pubs, also attended at the event.

"This is an act of commitment from the community, very publicly, where we are renewing our vows to see the Crooked House rebuilt brick by brick," he said.

"That's what the community wants and that's what we are pursuing."

The former manager of the 18th Century watering hole, John Hutchinson, said support had flooded in from people across the world with many keen to hear the history behind the building.

The pub was known for its sloping walls and floor, caused by mining subsidence in the area.

Staffordshire Police is treating the blaze as arson. Five men and one woman were arrested in connection with the fire and remain on bail.

The Save the Crooked House campaign group and contractors agreed to secure the 25,000 bricks from the building and they were kept in padlocked containers.

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