Publican takes to the airwaves

A licensee is entertaining listeners across the North West after securing a regular slot on a regional radio station.

Darren Tingle, of the Old Captain's House at Bigrigg near Whitehaven, is now a regular feature on the Richard Nankivell's lunchtime show on BBC Radio Cumbria.

The licensee, who has run the Oxford Hotels lease for three years, offers listeners his take on Cumbrian life, and a rundown of happenings in and around the pub.

Tingle, an ex-professional footballer, said the arrangement had come about after the station broadcast from the pub during the World Bar Skittles finals, which it hosted.

"I got a phone call from a producer after one of the presenters remembered me!" he said.

"The free publicity we've had from it has been brilliant - and customers do come in and tell me they have heard me on the radio.

"I'm firmly of the belief that a bit of publicity for one pub benefits all pubs."

Darren is now planning to highlight Proud of Pubs Week on the radio show. A race night and a bar skittles event are being planned at the pub during week, while local MP Jamie Reed has been invited to make a visit.