The only pub in Patchway will be knocked down to make way for a children's centre after being sold to the council.

The Britannia, in Rodway Road, has been bought by South Gloucestershire Council for an undisclosed amount under the asking price of £275,000.

The pub had been open for more than 50 years and was owned by Enterprise Inns for about 10 years.

Since The Railway pub on the A38 closed about 30 years ago, The Britannia has been the area's only local, but earlier this year Enterprise Inns put it up for sale, at an asking price of £275,000.

The council wants to demolish the pub and turn the site into one of three "children's hubs" in the area, using some of the £6 million awarded to it by the Government.

It is creating three "hubs", in Kingswood, Yate and Severn Vale, housing a range of NHS and council services.

The Britannia site would be the Severnvale hub, to house the community children's health disability team, offering a range of NHS and council services aimed at children and young people.

Councillor Allan Higgs, executive member for corporate resources, said: "I am pleased to confirm that we have acquired the Britannia pub site, as it will help us achieve our aim for a major 'locality hub' to serve the local area.

"The locality hub development will house an array of different services all under one roof, including NHS and council services aimed at children and young people, a day centre for adults with learning difficulties, as well as a library and one-stop shop offering access to a range of council services for all residents.

"It is a hugely ambitious project and will be of huge benefit to the residents of both Patchway and the wider area."

Vicky Averis, a spokesperson for Enterprise Inns, would not say why the pub had been put on the market. Sue Giles, who had been landlady at the pub since October and is now running The Wingrove in Keynsham, told the Evening Post that she believed the pub was closing because it was not making enough money to keep the firm happy.