A PUB in the heart of Newcastle's gay quarter looks likely to be demolished to make way for a roundabout.

The plans have angered the owner of Rockies, which is now one of just three bars in Scotswood Road.

Adrian Gadd claims he only found out about the demolition when developers asked if he wanted to sell up. They told him the pub and adjoining businesses would be demolished within a year-and-a-half.

Mr Gadd has just spent £250,000 refurbishing Rockies and his two other bars, the Courtyard and Heaven's Above.

He said: "I think this has been a PR disaster for the council.

"It's a typical example of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. On the one hand they are trying to promote the gay village, but on the other they are wiping it out of existence."

A city council spokesman said yesterday that a new roundabout was needed to cope with the expected increase in traffic on the new West Central Route.

But he added: "These plans are long-term. The bar should be safe for five years.