A great granddad from Astley is gearing up to mark 75 years of enjoying an evening tipple in his local pub and he is officially The Cart and Horses’ longest serving customer.

Gordon Williams’ tipple of choice is always a pint of Joseph Holt Black and, since turning 19, he has had two pints of the popular keg beer four afternoons a week.

The former miner, who will be celebrating his 94th birthday later this month, started drinking Joseph Black Holt in 1947 in the Lord Nelson and Newmarket pubs in Pendlebury, where he began working at the local colliery.

Father-of-two Gordon, who was married to Marion for 66 years and widowed six years ago, became a regular at The Cart and Horses and for 40 years the staff have been able to time his lunchtime appearances to the minute.

Gordon said: “I don’t understand why more people of my age don’t go to the pub.

“It’s so sociable and you need never be lonely.

“Of course, the beer is wonderful.

“Black has got a slightly tangy taste and it goes down really smoothly.”

Landlady Elaine Brook said: “We love it when Gordon comes in as we love listening to his stories.

“He’s right about encouraging more elderly people to visit pubs like ours as they would feel safe and looked after and it’s always such a warm and friendly atmosphere.”

Gordon’s visits to the pub have run like clockwork over the past few decades but this all changed during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

He was keen to get back to his usual routine once pubs reopened and he was first in line to order a meal with his pint every lunchtime.

Gordon added: “The Cart and Horses is such a big part of my life.

“I’m not interested in television – I like reading and I like people.

“It’s just the perfect place to be.”