REGIONAL brewer Wolverhampton & Dudley's community pubs are continuing to draw in drinkers, with figures showing a healthy lift in business.

The group said like-for-like sales in its core estate of 550 community-focused pubs had grown 4.1 per cent in the 25 weeks to March 23.

Wolverhampton is refurbishing about 200 of the pubs under a programme to refocus the business after fending off a hostile takeover bid last year.

A new Bostin Local concept - bostin is a Black Country word meaning "great" - has been introduced to 36 sites, with a further 20 openings planned in the next six months.

Earlier this year, the company told shareholders that sales at the new Bostin Locals had shot up by an average of 70 per cent. Recent conversions have included pubs in Darlington, Dewsbury, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton.

Across the group, the company said trading had been in line with expectations, with total like-for-like sales for all its managed pubs, including 48 identified for disposal, up 2.3 per cent.

Comparable turnover from tenanted pubs was up 1.4 per cent, while the brands division - including Banks's and Pedigree beers - has continued to trade satisfactorily, Wolves said.

The company said it was on target to return £100m to shareholders during this financial year. It has so far paid back £76m through a special dividend, while the remainder will be through share buy-backs.