BUILDING inspectors are monitoring an historic pub after a piece of oak fell from the roof into the street.

The timber came off the front of The Bird In Hand in Leek earlier this month.

Marston's Brewery, which owns the timber-framed property in Market Place has now applied for permission to erect scaffolding around the landmark listed building, pictured left, to enable a structural survey to be carried out on the property.

And a Staffordshire Moorlands District Council spokesman said: "The building will continue to be monitored in the interim. There may be conservation funding available for any work."

A Marston's spokesman added: "We have contacted a surveyor who is to visit the property. We take this matter very seriously and will make sure the Market Place building is safe."