A Baildon landlord really rolled out the barrel for a very special birthday celebration for his oldest and most valued customer yesterday.

Maurice Prest celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday with his usua;l daily treat - a pint at his favourite pub, the Malt Shovel in Northgate.

Landlord Mick Bray and his wife Jackie have been serving Mr Prest his daily pint ever since they took over running the pub almost three years ago.

And Mr Prest, pictured, has been visiting the pub daily ever since he retired as a master butcher more than 20 years ago.

As a special birthday surprise yesterday Mr Bray presented Mr Prest with a plaque, engraved tankard, and a certificate entitling him to a free pint every day for the next 12 months.

Mick, 40, said: "Maurice is a lovely person, one in a million. We love having him here and that's why we decided to do something special for him."

Maurice has been visiting the pub for more than 20 years and never missed a daily visit and a pint of his favourite John Smith's.

Laughing with friends and well-wishers, Mr Prest, who catches a bus from his home in Cliffe Avenue to the pub in Northgate, said: "I come in every day because I love the homely, friendly atmosphere, but I never have more than one pint."

Maurice also told of the occasion he asked his mother why she had named him Maurice instead of the more common 'Denis'.

"She said, if I had called you that you would have been depressed (D.Prest) all your life."

Instead, the jovial pensioner is celebrating two birthdays, one with the regulars at the pub and a family occasion today (Saturday).

Friend Christiana George, who was at the celebrations, said: "Maurice is a beautiful, wonderful person, very kind and generous. Sometimes I come here when I am depressed and need cheering up and guaranteed, Maurice will be there to make me smile, he is lovely."

Maurice was spending today with his family.

"My son, Christopher, and daughter, Jennifer, are both teetotal," said the grandfather-of-five, as he drunk champagne on this special occasion from his new tankard.