When teenager Tony Senger was considering his career options as a youngster in 1967, the last thing he wanted to do was run a pub.

But now, 47 years later, he is calling time on his career after nearly half a century of pulling pints.

The 71-year-old suddenly found himself thrust behind the bar of the Woodman, in Upham, after his parents who ran the pub were involved in a car accident.

Tragically the crash killed his dad and left his mum seriously hurt.

Having taken the reins back then he hasn't looked back, and this month Tony and his partner Joan Mort are retiring from the historic pub and bidding farewell to scores of locals.

Tony said: "I vowed in my life I would never have a pub, but of course when my dad got killed and mum was injured and I didn't know if she was going to live or die, somebody had to take their licence.

"I didn't have an option at that moment but I have no regrets. I had a reallly good time throughout the years."

The pub is a real hit with villagers in Upham and is a central social hub for people to meet up and get involved in various events.

It dates back to the 17th century when it was called the Travellers Inn - but Tony believes it could date back even further.

It is also well-known in Hampshire for the spectacular flowers in its gardens and arrangements and Britain's largest whisky collection that has attracted people even from as far afield as America.

Tony said: "I am a people's person. I will miss the people and when I walk away I am going to hate it and I just don't know what I am going to do with myself."

Over the years Tony has witnessed a massive shift in British pub culture but he believes a good local will always have a place in the heart of a community.

He said: "In the 60s, 70s and early 80s we sold far more than we do now because people didn't have iPads and broadband, which meant the village pub was a social way of life.

"People would come down to the pub five to six nights a week.

"I believe the pubs have changed over the years, but they will always be here."

Tony and Joan will officially call last orders on November 1, but there will be a farewell bash on October 26th.