CALLING for a swift half at the Alvanley Arms Inn, in Cotebrook, could mean sharing a pint with a rather unusual regular.

For two Shire horses have been seen at the bar in the 400-year-old inn.

Pub owners Alistair, Janet and Matthew King took the unusual step of bringing the horses in from their stud-farm, The Cotebrook Shire Stud, next door to win a bet.

But the horses proved so popular they were persuaded to let them in again!

Alistair said: "I don't know whether this will be happening too often as it takes too long to clean up after the horses when they leave." A1-51-35