The Gas Light, in Commercial Road, Jarrow, is a listed building, dating back to at least the first half of the 19th century.

Standing next to the Tyne, the pub is rich with history, including a local legend that the body of legendary striking pitman William Jobling was brought to The Gas Light after it was removed from a gibbet at Jarrow Slake, in 1832.

But almost 200 years of history could be flattened as work progresses on the New Tyne Crossing, between Jarrow and East Howdon.

Members of Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA) will be told on Thursday that the historic pub will have to be bulldozed.

But TT2 Ltd, the concessionaire heading the New Tyne Crossing scheme, will first have to obtain permission to flatten the pub.

A report to the meeting states: "It is still hoped that Chaytor Street can be left undisturbed, but it now looks most likely that The Gas Light public house will need to be demolished.

"It should be noted that to satisfy listed building consent conditions, TT2 Ltd will have to submit to South Tyneside Council, as the planning authority, detailed reasons as to why the building needs to be cleared to allow the construction of the tunnel to proceed."

The move to demolish the pub comes after soil sampling revealed certain ground conditions, requiring changes to the tunnel construction technique around Jarrow Riverside Park, next to the old pub.

Trees and shrubs have already been cleared at the park, and work on fencing the tunnel site is expected to start on April 15.

Work on the construction of the cut and cover section of the tunnel will begin in late May.

Anyone with concerns about the clearance works can contact the New Tyne Crossing 24-hour helpline number on 262 44 51, and choose option three.