IT might not be the most flattering of claims, but being publicly declared Herefordshire’s grumpiest landlord may actually have done John Wilkins a favour.

The 63-year-old has seen more tourists and punters than ever visit the Ewe and Lamb in Kington after his cheeky chef Lynne Stokes let the world know how she felt about him on the blackboard outside the pub.

The daily specials were quickly replaced by an impromptu sign which read: “We pride ourselves on having the grumpiest landlord in the Herefordshire area.”

And it has stayed there ever since – despite John’s protestations that he is not actually grumpy at all.

“It’s just that I don’t always show the best of myself in the morning and when she arrives, I sometimes pour out my troubles to her but I do pick up during the day,” he explained.

The former engineer, who moved from Berkshire around two years ago, has otherwise bonded well with locals, who have taken to calling him “Norris” after he was likened to the Coronation Street character during Kington Festival celebrations last year.

Despite the odd practical joke here and there, he really does get on well with Lynne.

“I do think people come in here to wind me up now – to see if I do get grumpy – but I don’t bite,” he added.