FOR pub landlord Rod Chorlton and his wife Chris the sunshine of their new home in Cyprus will be hard pressed to compete with the warmth of the farewell shown by their friends and regulars.

The couple have built an impressive reputation at the Crown Inn, Upton, and are only leaving to seek a better climate near Paphos for Chris who is critically ill with multiple sclerosis.

And on Tuesday night they threw a farewell party for their customers who turned out in force to say goodbye.

"We have very mixed feelings about going, because of the circumstances," said Rod.

"We came here because we love this area and this business has been one tremendous success story.

"We have had four pubs and when I came here I said that this would be the last one and we would make it the best - and I believe it is now. It's just unfortunate we have to move now but Chris is not well so it's time to go.

"We are looking forward to some good times ahead and this pub has got some very good years ahead too," he added.

"The only really bad aspect of the whole thing has been the Environment Agency and its attitude of waiting until someone is in a vulnerable position before hitting them."