A “padlocking ceremony” has taken place at the site of The Crooked House in Himley, near Dudley - exactly four weeks after the pub went up in flames.

More than 25,000 bricks were salvaged from the site after a deal was struck between the demolition teams and the ‘Save the Crooked House’ campaign group.

They were then placed in two metal containers, with one key to the padlock in the hands of campaigners, and the other, is in the hands of the contractors.

Campaigners said the padlocking was necessary to ensure they are not touched until they are satisfied a rebuild is going to take place.

“We wanted to protect them [the bricks],” says Paul Turner who is the leader of the campaign group. “We want them to stay there until we’re in a position to rebuild the Crooked House.”