Vacancy

A Lonely publican has started a search for the woman who would be a landlady and the love of his life. James Hilton, who runs The Horseshoe, in Matlock, put an advertisement in a weekly newspaper under the heading "landlady-vacancy".

It was intended for the personal column but it ended up in the jobs section, leading Mr Hilton to become the butt of several jokes. But, even though Mr Hilton is looking for love, he said that it was necessary that any potential partner was happy to spend evenings acting as landlady.

Mr Hilton, who has already had some interest following the advertisement, including a date on Sunday night, took on the pub with his wife, Mandy, two years ago.

But Mrs Hilton moved out recently and the 41-year-old said that he was missing the company, as well as a woman's presence at the pub.

Mr Hilton, who worked for local radio stations across the country for 19 years, said: "The upstairs flat is big and empty and I'm looking for companionship. Also, a pub is run better by a couple than a single person and it would be good to have a landlady here as a figurehead in the evening."

He is not intending to rush into anything. He said: "It's really a case of meeting people and striking up friendships. If I end up making a few friends out of this, outside of the pub, then that will also be a good thing."

He said that running a pub meant that he did not get much time to go out and meet other people.

"Most of the women who come into the pub are way too young or attached," he said. The father-of-two said that he was looking for someone who was "presentable, attractive and articulate".

He said: "She'll need a good sense of humour to be part of pub life and to cope with me - also someone who's affectionate and likes affection." He said that he would like someone aged 30 to 40, who was looking for a long-term relationship.

He wrote in the advertisement: "If you want to make sure I'm not an ugly axe-wielding murderer with dirty finger nails and covered in warts, feel free to drop in anonymously before applying."

Anyone interested should send a letter and a photograph to Mr Hilton at the pub, in Matlock Green.