AFTER riding his bike to the same pub for more than 45 years, David Barratt's drinking buddies have bought him a new motorised one.

Former dustman David is the Sun Inn in Coate's most loyal regular.

But troubles with his legs were making it harder for him to get to his favourite watering hole.

David, 69, had been riding his bicycle to the boozer since moving to Welcombe Avenue in 1961, but the final stretch up the hill had become difficult in recent weeks.

His friends at the pub decided to make it easier for him to cycle up the incline with an electric bicycle.

The Sun's landlord, Rob Thorley, said: "Two of our regulars came up with the idea, then we tried to get everyone to chip in.

"It was hard keeping it a secret from him, but he had no idea."

Rob and the Sun Inn's regulars surprised David with the bike on Wednesday.

"He didn't know a thing. He thought he was going to meet an old friend. We surprised him with my four-year-old son's bike first. But he looked really chuffed when he saw the real thing.

"The bike can be used like a normal pushbike, or he can use the motor to get up the last bit of the hill.

"We are going to have to give him some essons before he can use it on the roads, though.

"We're going to start in the pub car park on Saturday morning."

David said he had no idea his friends were planning the surprise.

He said: "I just can't believe it. I didn't know why they asked me to come down the pub early on Wednesday - I don't normally start drinking until after 7pm.

"I've had a bike for years and as I'm coming up to 70 it should help me go faster as I get older, rather than slower. They must have all got together and didn't tell me. They are so good to me down there. I nearly cried."

David said he hadn't ridden the bike yet, but couldn't wait to try it out on Saturday.

The Sun's drinkers raised several hundred pounds in just two weeks to buy the bike for David, who visits the pub four times a week for a pint of his favourite Arkell's smooth.

Earlier this year, the pub but up a brass plaque, marking 45 years of his visits.

David said that he tried other pubs in the area after moving to Park North from London, but didn't find them as friendly or welcoming.

Rob, 32, said: "Dave is as much a part of this pub as the bar. He probably knows it better than anyone.

"I first came here when I was 18, and only took over in March, so he has certainly been here much longer than me.

"We wanted to make sure he would be able to keep coming for several more years."

In his years frequenting the Sun, David has seen more than 20 landlords take over and drunk the contents of about 130 barrels of beer, containing 500 pints each.