ONE of Oxfordshire's most historic pubs is to undergo major repairs.

The owners of the Grade II-listed Old Crown in Faringdon say they need to erect a full scaffold around the front of the building.

Dominion Hospitality say the repairs include re-rendering the frontage, renewal of the gutter, repairs to the chimney, windows and fixes to the joinery.

It comes after a fire at the Market Place pub last year which witnesses said was caused by a cigarette dropped in a crack in a window.

Video: Firefighters race to save historic pub from cigarette fire

Parts of the Crown date back to the early 17th century (1600s) and as a result Dominion have had to apply for special Listed Building permission for the works from Vale of White Horse District Council.

Explaining the need for the current repairs, architects Nick Joyce said: "It was the introduction of the parapet gutter which has resulted in the present need for urgent repairs.

"The lead liner gutter is poorly detailed with over long bays, inadequate drips and has been poorly maintained.

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"As a result rainwater has penetrated the structure through splits in the leadwork and through drips and flashings resulting in a delamination of the rough cast render from the backing masonry and timber frame."

Members of public can see the plans online at whitehorsedc.gov.uk using application reference number P19/V0502/LB