More pubs have shut in the West Midlands in 2022 than anywhere else in England and Wales, a study has revealed.

As of June there are 39,970 pubs in the country - the lowest on record - according to real estate consultancy Altus Group.

With 200 closing nationwide so far in 2022, 28 have shut in the West Midlands alone.

The region was followed by London and the East of England which each lost 24.

Atlas said pubs were still suffering the impact of the pandemic, as well as inflation.

More than 7,000 have closed since 2012.

Robert Hayton, head of Altus in the UK, said: "Whilst pubs proved remarkably resilient during the pandemic, they're now facing new headwinds grappling with the cost of doing business in a crisis through soaring energy costs, inflationary pressures and tax rises."

The news comes just days after a Warwick pub was saved from being turned into a house.

The Punch Bowl has been closed since early 2020, having not reopened since the pandemic.

And whilst The Butts venue remains shut, Warwick District Council last month rejected a planning application for the pub to be turned into a house.