SHE jokes that she's a cross between Annie Walker and Bet Lynch right down to the earrings. But the King's Arms Hotel in Old Town is light years away from Coronation Street's Rovers Return.

Her first name is Eileen. But to Swindon drinkers and hotel guests and to her loyal staff its landlady has always been Mrs Winter.

I believe in showing people, and being shown, respect,'' she said.

And when she retired yesterday at the age of 65 an era ended at the Kings'', where she has been manager for 15 years.

During that time jazz lover Eileen Winter has kept the hotel running smoothly, presided over its bar without letting drunken youths run riot, and provided a comforting shoulder for customers with troubles without ever passing on their secrets.

The trade, she said, is in her blood. I loved it from the day I walked into my first pub job as a barmaid in Fareham 25 years ago. I knew straight away that this was all I wanted to do.''

She said that coming to the King's Arms to manage it for the then tenants, Ron and Pat Siddall, was like coming home.

Ten years ago the Siddalls retired and Mrs Winter didn't need to think twice when the hotels owners, Arkell's, asked her to stay on as manager.

A difficult trade for a woman? Not if you have the support of your staff,'' she said.

I have 24, many of them part-timers, and they know I'll do anything from preparing vegetables and making beds to working in the cellar if the pressure is on.''