Missing: The White Lion, Stafford

Red-faced council officers in Stafford have been forced to admit they have lost an entire pub.

The news will come as little surprise to publicans used to local authorities regularly mislaying planning and licensing paperwork, but has devastated residents who hoped to one day see the historic White Lion restored to its former glory.

The landmark timbered building was taken apart 30 years ago to make way for a ring road - on the understanding that the bricks, timber, fixtures and fittings would be put into storage so the pub could be rebuilt on a new site in the town.

However, when Staffordshire county councillor Robert Simpson recently enquired as to the project's progress, the council's officers had to admit they had no idea of the current whereabouts of the component parts of the White Lion. A council spokesman said: "The problem is, no one working here now was around when the decision was taken, and there's simply no record of what actually happened to the pub."

The council is now appealing to anyone who knows what happened to the White Lion to come forward.

Cllr Simpson said: "I've made some inquiries and so have local residents, but no-one is any the wiser. Someone must know. Someone should have records somewhere. The search goes on."

(Thanks to Staffordshire Arts and Museums Service and www.staffspasttrack.org.uk for use of picture ​)