AN OLD Hampshire brewhouse that supplied beer to a famous Allied commander could recapture some of its former glory in a transformation.

The Old Brewhouse in Southwick, which has lain unused for decades, has an impressive history, even boasting the claim that General Eisenhower supped half pints of its wares during the Second World War.

However, now there are moves afoot to transform the disused building in High Street into a specialist real ale shop where traditional beer-lovers can stock up on hand-bottled beer.

Plans for the move have been submitted to Winchester City Council.

Applicant Martin Bazeley, a farmer who lives on the edge of Southwick Village, is hoping to get the go ahead to bring the building to life once more.

He said: "I am excited at the prospect of the old Victorian brewhouse finally finding a suitable use after 48 years, that will preserve and maintain the equipment within it. We make our own beer and this will be our first major outlet if it is allowed to go ahead.

"We want to reassure local people that we are as concerned as they are not to increase the traffic through the village, and by putting up signs to direct people to the brewhouse there won't be any need for traffic to even enter the village."

The brewhouse is a scheduled monument and was last used for commercial brewing in 1957.

In order to ensure the historical significance of the building is not lost, the original brewing equipment will remain in the building to provide an educational element for visitors, with flow charts and enlarged photographs of the brewery when it was last in use.

English Nature has given its backing to the plans.

A Winchester City Council spokesman confirmed the application had been received.

A public consultation period on the plans ended earlier this month.