There must be something quite special about The Three Horseshoes pub in Warham, near Wells, which keeps its landlords there for so long.

Iain Salmon has just completed a quarter of a century in the role and he believes he is the second longest-serving pub landlord in the Fakenham and Wells area.

His predecessors, David and Phyllis Bear, ran the pub for 28 years.

Mr Salmon, 55, said it is the warm atmosphere and his love of locally-produced food which has kept him happy in his work for so long.

He said: 'It's been a busy and lively pub over the years.

'I've even got a few customers who have been coming to the pub for all the time that I've been here and still come in now.'

He added: 'We've always been a food pub and I enjoy the kitchen more than anything else.

'In the food I have always tried to reflect the rural character of the pub, with game and lots of locally-sourced produce.'

Mr Salmon said The Three Horseshoes is holding its own in a challenging economic climate for the hospitality industry but stressed the need for people to support their local pubs.

He said: 'There doesn't seem to be as much support for local pubs as there could be for a whole series of reasons.

'Things have changed so much and gastro pubs are the popular thing at the moment.

'You don't have many of the old characters any more that you used to.

'But we're still doing OK and I plan to stay here for many years to come.

'It's become a way of life for me more than anything else.'

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