Pub landlord celebrates new boozer - by getting baptised

A pub landlord has marked the start of his new life in Appledore with a baptism in the River Torridge, the North Devon Journal reports.

John Tompkins was baptised by the vicar of St Mary’s Church, Rev John Ewington.

John, a former chartered accountant has, with his business partner, just taken over The Champion of Wales pub in Appledore after moving to North Devon from Sussex.

He said: “I’m new to these parts and have had a bit of a journey in the past year. I was about 70% Christian before but am going the whole hog now.

"I thought the baptism would be a way to celebrate my new life in the village. I’m just over 60 and want to spend the rest of my life doing good things."