A HEREFORD pub at the centre of a row over its new colour has toned down its exterior.

Bosses at the Spread Eagle have repainted the 17th century Grade-II listed pub on King Street which has been turned into a fish and chip bar.

The Hereford Times reported last month that an initial bright blue shade would have to be replaced having not been the colour agreed between Herefordshire Council and the pub's owners, the Steak and Cider Works Pub Company.

Martin Hathaway, the pub company's managing director, said at the time: "We had looked at colours with heritage [officials], and agreed on one," said Mr Hathaway.

"But when we painted it, it was really bright."

The original colour had come under fire from some quarters, including city resident Glenda Vaughan-Powell, who said: "They could not have picked a worse colour than bright blue.

"It just stands out for all the wrong reasons."