A Black Country battle to defend a pub’s cheese cobs is being backed by three former regulars with a combined age of more than 200.  

Pensioners Brian Davies, aged 77, Paul Ferguson, 62, and Gordon Bramall, 72, tucked into traditional cheese and onion cobs at the Beacon Hotel in Sedgley, every Friday lunchtime for almost 10 years in the 1960s and 70s.

Right: Brian Davies, 77, Paul Ferguson, 62, and Gordon Bramall, 72 reunited in front of the Beacon Hotel to back the campaign to save traditional cheese and onion cobs

And they said their combined ages prove the weekly ritual had never done them any harm. Now they have reunited at the pub to support the campaign to save the cobs from new food rules which say they can no longer be kept wrapped on the bar. The cobs have been taken off sale since a visit by council food inspectors who said they must be kept in a fridge.

Mr Davies, of Penn, said: “I’m absolutely disgusted with people who are taking another swipe at our traditions. As far as I’m concerned it is absolute nonsense.”

Mr Bramall, from Pattingham, said: “Those cobs were wonderful and it’s dreadful they are off the menu today. The cobs were part of the staple diet of the day.”