ARTHUR Ayres wants to be adopted - at the ripe old age of 90!

But he's after someone to support his drinking habits rather than a new set of parents.

A scheme aimed at saving country pubs and their regulars is putting up locals for adoption.

Arthur has been drinking at the Tavern Inn in Kemble, near Cirencester for 52 years and has a plaque with his name on his usual seat as well his photo on the wall.

The Adopt a Local campaign is being run from www.pubs-2000.com and for £20 a year people receive a monthly news- letter, a signed photo of their adoptee and a beer mat.

From the £20 fee, £5 goes to the society for sick and retired licensees, £5 behind the bar for the adoptee, £5 covers design and printing costs and £5 goes to www.pubs2000.com.