This eye-catching image shows how a £1.5m JD Wetherspoon pub that is named after a local lifesaving hero will look in Gorleston.

Norwich Evening News: The building will also be given a blue heritage plaque from the local heritage group reflecting that the building used to be a Methodist church Picture: Les CockrillThe building will also be given a blue heritage plaque from the local heritage group reflecting that the building used to be a Methodist church Picture: Les Cockrill (Image: Archant)

Called The William Adams, the pub is due to open on the former GT Motors site in the high street on July 18.

It is named after Mr Adams, who was born in Gorleston in 1864 and is credited with saving 140 lives while he was a bathing hut attendant on the town's beach.

As well as paying tribute to Mr Adams, the pub will also remember the history of the site it will occupy with the installation of a blue plaque.

For around 150 years it was occupied by Methodist chapels.

Norwich Evening News: William Adams the famous Gorleston lifesaverWilliam Adams the famous Gorleston lifesaver (Image: Archant � 2007)

A Gorleston On Sea heritage plaque will recognise a Methodist chapel built in 1807, which was rebuilt in 1844, suffered damage in the Second World War and was demolished in 1957.

In 2016 as part of the process in taking over the GT Motors site and creating a pub, a research report was conducted on behalf on Wetherspoon on naming the pub, with one of the suggestions being The Hero of Gorleston as a tribute to Mr Adams.

The pub was named by the public following a poll which saw over 1,000 votes cast

The naming report said: 'The legendary life-saver William Adams was born in Gorleston, in 1864.

'Known in the local press as the 'Hero of Gorleston', he is credited with saving 140 people from drowning, mainly during his time as a bathing hut attendant on Gorleston Beach.

'Adams was also a swimming instructor and coached some of the leading swimmers of the day.

'He died in 1913 and is buried in Gorleston Old Cemetery.

'The name of the swimming legend lives on in William Adams Way.'

JD Wetherspoon is still waiting for confirmation on how the wording will look for the pub's frontage.

It will have cafe-style pavement seating to the front, an enclosed beer garden to the rear left side and create 45 jobs.

Eddie Gershon, a spokesman for the pub chain, said: 'The design will reflect the local history of the seaside town and its fishing background.

'We have also been in contact with William Adams' family, who are happy for us to use some of their photographs of the local hero lifesaver.'