IT'S a hot topic of conversation among people in the village of Castleton - their normally white or cream-painted local pub is now a shade called Jamaican Ginger.

But pub managers who changed its colour to the orange-brown shade to brighten up their premises may be forced to repaint it because they didn't realise they needed planning permission.

The problem is that the Coach and Horses Inn is a Grade II listed building. In October 2005 managers at the pub decided to give the property a facelift and painted over the cream outside walls with the Jamaican Ginger.

But now they have to get permission from the planning department at Newport city council to keep the new-look paint job, because of the building's listed status.

John Lucker, 34, a manager at the Beefeater pub, said: "We closed up in October for refurbishments and re-opened in November with the new paintwork.

"We didn't realise we needed planning permission."

Now they have applied to keep the new-look frontage, and expect a decision in the near future.

In the meantime, Mr Lucker thinks customers are growing fond of the changes.

He said: "At first some people were like, 'ugh, what a colour', but now we get people commenting on how it looks warmer and more welcoming."

Mr Lucker said the idea was to draw attention to the fact the pub was refurbished and to encourage them to come and have a look.

But opinions are still mixed among locals.

Mr Lucker said: "It's a hot topic of conversation at the bar. One regular grumbles that the building has always been either cream or white, but others say they prefer it this way."

A spokesman for Whitbread, the company which owns the pub, said: "It was part of a £400,000 refurbishment and they just wanted to brighten things up. It's unfortunate they didn't realise they needed permission, but they are working with the council now."

Mr Lucker said: "If it has to go then fair enough, because of planning regulations. I'm sure some people will miss it, but it'll certainly keep everybody talking."