TAKE a look inside Britain's smallest pub – which is run by a 98-year-old woman from her front room and has just one type of beer.

Mary Wright runs The Luppitt Inn and sits at a makeshift bar dishing out glasses of booze.

She only opens up the boozer three nights a week from 7.30pm on Thursday to Saturday.

There is no music and the toilets are located across the yard – but it's still a favourite with ale lovers in Honiton, Devon.

And that's despite there being a limited choice of drinks – with the only beer being the locally brewed Otter Bitter.

CASH ONLY – AND NO TILL

Cider fans can have cans of Thatchers and there is a small selection of spirits, mixers and wine.

The bar is also cash only and Mary does not even have a till.

The tiny pub has a fireplace and a mix-match of small tables and chairs, while the only forms of entertainment are darts and chessboard.

Mary ran the pub with her husband Albert until his death in 1989 at 73 – and has continued to run it since.

She said: "I was born on a farm on the other side of the village but I can't remember if I came to the pub much before I married when I was about 22, and I've lived here since.

"I've enjoyed being a landlady, but I can't tell you many stories because my memory isn't so good these days."

TINA TURNER ON THE WALL

Even though she is in her nineties, Mary is in exceptional health – but her granddaughter Caroline and her husband Philip now help her keep the local open.

Mary added: "Caroline and Philip now open the pub for me. They don't expect me to because I am in my nineties!

"I've always joined in with things and customers still come and see me where I'm sat so we still have our chats. Pubs can bring communities together.

Surrounding the bar are simple wooden shelves and the walls have a few decorations, including pictures of a beauty queen, and even a signed photo of Tina Turner.

Mary's pub has been featured in the real ale drinker's bible published by the Campaign for Real Ale, and the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.

Mary continued: "I don't mind anybody coming in here.

"Years ago it was busy a lot of the time, especially weekends, but it's not now. It has definitely gone quieter.

"Nowadays you probably get around half a dozen people during the evening."


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