WHEN the Winning Post pub in Clifton first opened its doors in 1956 it offered free beer for an hour – and Reg Hunt was one of the first at the bar.

Now, 54 years later he is enjoying free drinks once again after the pub's owners decided to grant him free ale for the rest of his life as an 83rd birthday present.

Mr Hunt, of Ellerby Avenue, is one of the few customers remaining from the early days of the pub.

To mark his dedication landlord and landlady Dennis and Jackie Nelson threw a surprise 83rd birthday party for him on Wednesday with a buffet and disco.

In-between crooning along to Frank Sinatra songs with his life-long friend Frank South, Mr Hunt explained why he loves the pub so much.

"I've been coming here for 54 years and I've made a lot of good friends here.

"A lot of them are not here any more, but it's still a very friendly place. They're good people. Everyone always says hello and asks how you are doing.

"Me and Frank are the only ones that come in here now."

Mr South, 81, of Southchurch Drive, said: "We used to be on the dominoes team together and we won a few championships – mind you, we cheated a few times! I love him to bits, he's like a brother to me."

Mr Hunt said he had celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries at the pub, as well as enjoying live music.

He said: "We used to go in the big room at the back and they'd have live bands.''

A founding member of Clifton Boxing Club, Mr Hunt suffered a heart attack 15 years ago and has also had a stroke, but has not let that stop him from getting out and about.

He visits the pub in Farnborough Road every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday lunchtime.

His tipple of choice is John Smith's, and among the many presents he received from family and friends were a fetching pair of John Smith's underpants.

Asked how he felt about receiving free beer for the rest of his life, he said: "It's very nice, Dennis is a great landlord."

Mr Hunt's wife Dorothy died three years ago this month. They have two children Russell, 52, and Julie, 44, who both live in Clifton.

Russell said: "When he moved up here it was the first pub on the estate.

"Apparently when it first opened the beer was free for the first hour. He was one of the five people that came in to get the free beer and he's been coming here ever since.

"The pub itself has stayed much the same over the years. It's one of those good old-fashioned locals and you rarely see any trouble," added Russell.

Landlord Mr Nelson said: "Reg usually only drinks halves, but when I told him I was giving him free beer for the rest of his life he joked that he would have to start on the pints!

"He is virtually the first customer that came into this pub in 1956 and he still comes in four times a week. I've known him for many years, he is a lovely man."

sarah.gillett@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk