Maryport's White Star pub is up for sale and its owner believes its future may lie in converting it to shops.

The Senhouse Street pub was converted from shops by the building's owner, John McGuirk of Workington.

Mr McGuirk, who has owned the building for 40 years, had a television repair shop there next to a jewellers and a clothing shop.

He converted the building to a pub around 28 years ago, "because it was something I had wanted to do and because pubs were doing well in those days.

"Now I think a lot of pubs are struggling - not just in Maryport but everywhere."

Mr McGuirk leased the pub seven years ago when it was taken over by Geoff Walby and his partner, Rachael Baio who ran it until recently.

Mr McGuirk said  while it was up for sale as a pub, he felt the future of the building probably lay in some other direction.

"It could easily be reconverted to house three shops," he said.

Anyone interested in the pub can contact Mr McGuirk on 01900 603040.