NOW this is a place with character not what I expected at all.

The happy hour from 5pm until 7pm meant the place was already teeming with life with all drinks 20 per cent off. That meant a pint of Strongbow cost £1.84 and a Stella cost £1.96. That's a damn fine deal.

There is an awful lot going on with student types, workmen types, a suit or two and even a few tired shoppers milling around.

What must be the pub's most prized possession is mounted on the wall behind the bar. It is red seat number 67 from Wembley Stadium complete with authentication certificate. They would have preferred 69 but you don't always get what you want.

There is a good deal of other England football stuff scattered about the place and a scantily-clad Kylie calendar which looked like it would make very good viewing.

The barman, "barracking Bob", was in the middle of delivering a rollicking to one of his regulars. But it was all good humoured stuff.

I couldn't help thinking that one or two of the regulars laughed and dribbled a little like Benny out of the old Crossroads. Not that that's a bad thing. He was a bit thick, but a good honest bloke. (OK he did kill one of Miss Dianne's boyfriends but he really did love Miss Dianne he did).

By way of entertainment The Pub on the Corner boasts a pool table, an old fashioned pin-ball game and real, though rather loud, juke box. Smashing.

The pub is littered with signs warning about the possession and use of drugs. I make no further comment.

|FA