A PUB gutted by fire could get a new lease of life.

The Wise Man Inn in West Stafford was virtually destroyed when fire swept through the building in April.

Up to 60 firefighters were called to the village, near Dorchester, to tackle the blaze and they were forced to remove the pub's thatched roof to stop the fire spreading.

Now pub owner Punch Taverns has unveiled plans to rebuild the establishment and reopen it as a full working pub.

In an application submitted to West Dorset District Council the firm reveals the plans for the rebuild.

A supporting statement from Derek Foord of DFA Architecture said: "Earlier this year the public house including the first floor manager's accommodation was damaged by fire, resulting in the collapse of the thatched roof and the main two-storey section of the building, and the loss of some of the first floor structure and timber windows."

He said the ground floor remains in tact but the first floor over the main bar has collapsed.

"The applicant's brief is to obtain the necessary permissions to reinstate the property as a fully working public house with first floor manager's accommodation."

He said that the proposed redevelopment would restore the pub to look more like the pair of cottages it was originally created from.

"As the main part of this building was built pre-1847 and has been extensively added to and altered over the year evaluation of design per se must remain academic.

"However, as a result of this fire damage minor improvements will be incorporated.

"The window proportions to the first floor front faade to be returned closer to the original and the new thatch to be in traditional wheat reed complete with a Dorset flush ridge, again as the early original building," said Mr Foord.

Anyone wishing to comment on the application must do so before November 3.