Landlady Tina Yeomans was delighted when the smart new sign above the pub she had just taken over was lifted into place. Until, that is, she realised it was spelt wrongly.

Now the name of the Alexandra in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, reads “Alexandria” following the gaffe by bungling signwriters. Owner Punch Taverns paid for the sign but now both management and regulars say they want the correct name back on the wall.

“I was really excited when it was being put up,” said Mrs Yeomans. “And then as soon as I saw it, I noticed there was an extra ‘i’ in it.

“I couldn’t believe it. It went up anyway and became a real talking point with the regulars but now I think they want to see the proper name there again.”

Regular Billy McLaughlin, aged 58, of Crawford Road, Chapel Ash, has been drinking in the Alexandra, known as the Alex, for 20 years.

He said: “It’s been quite amusing seeing the wrong name up there but I think people want to see it get back to normal now.

“The Alex has been here for a long time so it should have its correct name outside.”

Mrs Yeomans was contacting Punch Taverns to find out if a new sign could be made.

The Alexandra is a favourite with real ale fans.

It closed without warning last July and the smoking ban was thought to have played a part.

But Mrs Yeomans took over at the helm just before Christmas and said business was booming once again.

“There’s been a lot of bad publicity around saying pubs are a dying trade, but they haven’t been to the Alex,” she said.

“We are doing really well here. There’s always people in having a drink.”

Punch Taverns are investigating what went wrong with the sign.