A Polish-themed pub in Cheltenham could be converted into student accommodation if new proposals are approved.

Property developers Anthony and Carol Lloyd have applied for planning permission from Cheltenham Borough Council to turn the Horse and Jockey pub into 10 student flats.

They say the Townsend Street pub, which is owned by Admiral Taverns, is struggling and its loss would not be felt by the community.

In an assessment of the loss of the pub made by Mr Lloyd as part of the planning application, he said: "The existing public house is failing with little prospect of being restored to a viable business again. The area is well-served by similar drinking establishments."

Last summer, the leaseholders, Pat Lewis and his partner Caz Kapesi, who also run the Cat and Fiddle in Whaddon, turned the pub into a Polish-themed bar to attract eastern Europeans living in the area.

Pat said: "We wanted to bring in the local Polish community, but it hasn't done so well.

"It's not open much of the time, just at weekends and it's dying on its feet a bit."

Admiral Taverns has advertised the freehold of the business and building for sale on its website.

Pat said: "We've accepted that is probably the best thing for them.

"We are in negotiations to take on another pub to open our Polish bar there.

"It's a shame that the Horse and Jockey didn't take off, but it's time to move on."

If the planning proposal are approved, Mr Lloyd plans to turn the pub and its upstairs accommodation into 10 study bedrooms.

Five will go on the first floor and five on the ground floor.

There will be a bath, shower and toilet upstairs and a toilet downstairs and communal kitchen, living and dining rooms.

Three of the bedrooms on the ground floor will be put into the pub's skittle alley.

The applications says that no alterations need to be made to the outside of the pub.

Mrs Lloyd said: "We're hoping to get change of use for the building. It's a lovely building in a lovely spot and it would make lovely student accommodation."