Yarm Town Council is fighting to retain the name of a 400-year-old High Street pub.

Barracuda Ltd, which owns the Ketton Ox pub, intends to change its name to The Ox, but at a meeting on Tuesday night, the council strongly objected.

The pub, originally a coaching inn, was named the Ketton Ox in 1829 after the famous Durham ox of 1802, which was bred by Charles Colling of Ketton, near Darlington.

The huge beast weighed 34cwt and measured 11ft around its girth. It was taken around the country and exhibited at fairs.

Coun Peter Monck, who is also a member of the Yarm Civic Society, said: "I've had a lot of complaints from local residents about the name change.

"The pub is part of Yarm's heritage and has been named the Ketton Ox for 175 years. The pub is also one of six grade II* listed buildings in the town and is in a conservation area."

Coun Monck added that planning permission was not needed for the name change but that a new licence would have to be sought if it was changed.

The clerk, Peter Woods, said that Barracuda intended to display historical information about the pub.

Members agreed to write to Barracuda, English Heritage and Stockton Council with their objections.

The council also decided to oppose a planning application by Barracuda for two new signs for the Ketton Ox and for one double sided free-standing panel to be placed on the pavement outside the building.

Coun Monck said: "In my opinion all the signs are out of character with the conservation area and the listed building. I also object to the proposed blue flood lighting for the signs."

Chairman Coun Philip Addison said the free-standing panel would take up pavement space. Coun Bob Stephenson said it would be an obstruction for the disabled and elderly people.

John Deal, a spokesman for Barracuda, said the renaming of the Ketton Ox tied in with company's branding for similar pubs.

"It is a commercial decision which has been done sympathetically. We regard the pub as a beautiful building. Any changes will enhance it and not detract from it.

"The work is costing £500,000 and we are keen to retain the pub's links to the community.

"We will work with the local authority's conservation experts to ensure all the changes to the pub will enhance and highlight the building.

"We do have a proven track record in developing listed buildings and fundamentally the nature of the pub is not going to change."