A Birmingham pub where Black Sabbath played their first gig has been given Grade II listed status by Historic England.

The Crown on Station Street had been under threat since it closed in 2014. It was bought by a Japanese development company and has remained derelict after a project to restore it as a live music venue failed.

Following news that the nearby Electric Cinema - believed to be England’s oldest working cinema - was set to close, a petition was launched which has since gained over 15,000 signatures.

However a submission to Historic England by Jez Collins, founder of the Birmingham Music Archive, has resulted in the pub being listed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Speaking to Dan Richards on Saturday afternoon, Jez said:

"It's been there for 147 years and the very first live folk album was recorded at The Crown by Ian Campbell who's the father of the Campbell brothers who formed UB40.

"It was where people like Ozzy Osbourne, Robert Plant and Christine McVie got their start and it's incredibly important for the city and for the world that this venue is recognised."

Originally named the General Elliott, the venue was thought to have opened in 1876, and hosted local acts that went on to become household names.

Thousands of people have signed a petition as part of a campaign to protect the Station Street area, also home to The Old Rep theatre.

Birmingham City Council has said no planning applications for development there have been submitted.