A couple from Stourport were left "overwhelmed" after their friends flew all the way from Australia to mark a special occasion at their pub. 

Maria and Andy Gooding celebrated ten years at The Black Star a couple of weeks ago and said they couldn't believe it when they found out their friends had travelled from the other side of the world to celebrate with them. 

Hundreds of people came out to show their support for the popular pub from Friday (October 18) to Sunday (October 20) with live music, food and surprise guests. 

Ms Gooding said: "We met our friends on holiday in Australia two years ago and spoke to them about our little pub in Stourport. 

"We couldn't believe that they had flown all that way just to celebrate our tenth birthday with us. It was so overwhelming. 

"They've taken quite a lot of goodies back with them to Australia including some of our new merchandise. We might end up being world famous."

Maria and Andy Gooding took over the pub in October 2014 after being offered the choice of The Black Star or a pub in Ross-on-Wye. 

After leaving their fate to the flip of a coin, the couple decided to move to Stourport which proved to be "the best decision they ever made". 

Ten years later, the pub on Mitton Street has undergone a complete transformation and does a lot of work in the community including sponsoring local sports teams and raising money for charity. 

Over the birthday weekend, guests were treated to narrowboat trips on Bramble as well as free goodie bags, cake, face painting, henna tattoos and more. 

Friends also made the trip from Germany to join in with the celebrations which the couple said was "completely unexpected". 

For more information about The Black Star and to see their live music line-up for November visit The Black Star on Facebook or www.theblackstar.co.uk/