Regulars at The Victory pub in Hamble are expecting to find out today whether their jet-setting barman has survived the tsunami.

Father-of-two, Bill Fleming (52), who has worked at The Victory for six months, flew to Thailand on Christmas Day. He arrived in Phuket on Boxing Day - the day of the disaster - and he has not been heard from since.

The pub has been in constant contact with Mr Fleming's family as the days have passed.

Landlord, "Budgie" Stratton and his wife, Vivien, hope that Mr Fleming is alive and has either been unable to phone, or has simply not thought of doing so.

Mr Stratton's daughter, Deborah Rolfe, who has been in charge of the pub for the last couple of days, said yesterday: "We still haven't heard from him but I think he's going to walk back in here tomorrow."

It's the eighth or ninth visit to Thailand for Mr Fleming, who has been a regular at the Victory for 10 years. He has worked at the picturesque High Street pub since leaving the Royal Navy.

He's known to everybody there as "Guinness Bill" because of his love of the Irish stout. "He's lovely," Mrs Rolfe said. "He's a great fellow - good fun."

The Victory and another Hamble pub, Ye Olde Whyte Hart, teamed up for sponsored haircuts which raised over £2,000 for the disaster appeal.

Mr Stratton had his head shaved over New Year's Eve. "But he's got quite short hair anyway," his daughter said.

The more spectacular shaving was performed on the flowing locks of the Whyte Hart landlady, Andrea Bernard. Proceeds from the haircuts have been sent to the parish church at Hamble.