A FAMILY-RUN pub in Cockwood has had to close after a side wall dramatically collapsed following heavy rain. 

Made from traditional cob material, the Ship Inn’s owners saw an entire side of the building fall down after downpours on Saturday. 

Sunday morning’s incident happened before the pub opened but the collapse has taken out part of the chef’s accommodation above the pub, destroying his lounge wall and the wall behind the bar. 

Wall collapse at The Ship Inn Cockwood
Wall collapse at The Ship Inn Cockwood (SWNS)

It is believed the rain had soaked into the wall material.

It has been reported that the owners have been told it can be repaired and they intend to reopen as soon as possible. 

Anna Brown, who has run the pub along with her family since 2007, says that the 'shocking' collapse came without warning.

She told the BBC: "Basically the wall behind the the bar fell out, fell down in towards the garden.

"It feels horrendous, this is our family pub, this is our business. But we will be back and serving as soon as we possibly can."