The upper levels of a Wetherspoon pub is to be turned into a hotel.

The Walnut Tree pub in Leytonstone, named after the nearby Walnut Tree House, is the area’s oldest building, dating from the mid 16th century.

The upper levels of the site are due to be converted into a 51-bedroom hotel while the pub remains unchanged beneath.

A Wetherspoon spokesman said: "The upper parts of the building have been surrendered so the landlord may develop it.

"They plan to develop upper floors into a hotel but the pub remains unaffected and will stay as it is."

A planning application was submitted to Waltham Forest Council last year for change of use of the first and second floor levels of the public how to a hotel with the construction of a third floor level addition across the building with a four-storey side extension.

The proposed external works included a provision for car and cycle parking with integrated waste and laundry storage and development to build 51 hotel bedrooms.

The planning application was approved in full on November 23, 2018.

The work is being carried out by architecture, interior design and project management services company Marchini Curran Associates.

Marchini Curran Associates have been approached for comment.