PUB landlord Dennis Gregory thought he had seen it all during his 23-year reign behind the bars of some of the borough's most popular watering holes.

That was all until his regulars decided to play a practical joke on him. Drinkers at the Victoria in Manchester Road, Accrington, thought he was a real-life Den Perry from Peter Kay's hit TV comedy Phoenix Nights and decided to swap the pub's landmark sign for a replica of the series' Banana Grove. Here the 53-year-old tells of how he swapped life as an engineer to start a career in the pub trade.

Q. What time do you get up?

A. It depends because every day is different. I usually get to bed for about 1am - sometimes I get to stay in bed a bit longer than others but if the drayman is coming it can be about 7am or if the machines need emptying it can be 8am.

Q. What's Your daily routine?

A. I have all the usual jobs to do, including cleaning, paper work and ordering stock. It's not the same as it used to be though. The pub trade isn't as popular as it once was. In days gone by you were considered lucky yo have a pub but it's not really like that anymore.

Q. What do you love about your role?

A. I enjoy having a chat with the regulars, we have a real mix of  people that come in, everybody from workmen to solicitors have sat at the bar and you get to hear all sorts. You definitely have to be a good listener.

Q. What's the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

A. When the lads decided to swap the pub's sign around that was funny. We were having a new sign so one of the regulars designed the 'Banana Grove' sign just like in the TV series and put it up. I was likened to Den Perry in the local press and had my picture taken smoking a cigar next to the sign so I saw the funny side because we have quite a few pranksters who drink here and it?s something you get used to.

Q. What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

A. Don't take on a pub!! I used to work as an engineer and fancied a change - it was good in the beginning but it's not a good game to be in these days because people don't tend to go to their locals as much as they used to. People like to spend their money on other things such as going out for nice meals. I've had some good times though and will always remember them.