Pub can be won in £25 draw

Arbor Lights owners Jude and Sean Hanly are also throwing in the pub's fixtures and fittings as well as living accommodation to the holder of the winning £25 ticket.

The couple are looking to move on after just over six years at the helm of the Lichfield Street business but say they are struggling to sell the pub the conventional way due to the recession.

It was first put on the market six months ago with a price tag of £340,000.

The Hanlys say those who have come forward willing to buy it have been refused bank loans in the economic slump. The couple have now launched the draw and are hoping for a minimum of 20,000 entries, raking in no less than £500,000.

The deadline for entries is July 31 and the competition will be closed should entries hit the 30,000 mark. The winner will be announced on August 14.

Mother-of-two Jude said today: "We looked to sell but the banks would not lend those interested in buying it any money, so that is when we came up with the idea. You have to answer three questions correctly and then purchase a ticket to enter."

The questions, two of which relate to health and safety and the other which asks where Walsall Illuminations is held, can be found on the website www. winarestaurantandbar. com

Mrs Hanly said she wants to concentrate on her other job of costume and set design as well as interior design. All entry fees will be kept in a separate bank account by the promoter, and if the contest is cancelled, refunds will be issued.

If not enough entries are received, a cash prize from the money collected will go to the winner instead, although the promoter will retain expenses and £1 from every ticket price will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Arbor Lights building is owned by Punch Taverns. It is a licensed leasehold property.

If no winner is found, the Hanlys will remain until a buyer is found.