Historic pub in Kidderminster has name changed to 'The Rank Turd'

Jan 1 2012 Adam Aspinall

PRANKSTERS have caused a stink after naughtily rearranging the letters in the name of an historic Midland pub.

Cheeky vandals swooped on The Grand Turk and swapped the wall sign around to spell out THE RANK TURD.

Motorists and locals have been beside themselves with laughter as they have passed the 156-year-old pub on Sutton Road in Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

One said: ‘‘I nearly crashed the car when I saw the new name. Someone is obviously having a laugh.’’

The pub is currently closed and undergoing refurbishments after being sold by Marston’s brewery in October to a private buyer. The new owners were unavailable for comment last night.

The Grand Turk was originally opened by a local silkweaver called Thomas Paget in 1855.

History student Scott Pettitt, 25, is a descendant of the wealthy Victorian businessman and laughed off the joke name-change.

“I find it very funny. At least the people who did it showed they have some imagination,’’ he said.

“I’ve looked into the history of the pub myself and know it’s one of the oldest in Kidderminster.

‘‘As far as I know, it was also one of two Grand Turk pubs in the town.

“Thomas Paget owned a lot of property and would have used his pub as a place for his silkweavers to unwind after a long day at the loom.