THE last surviving soldier to have fought in the trenches of World War 1 was guest of honour at the opening of a refurbished pub last night.

Harry Patch, 108, went to the official reopening of the Rose and Crown in Limpley Stoke and stayed up until after many people had gone home.

The pub has been completely refurbished in recent months with two new bars, new furniture and carpets and has been redecorated.

Landlord Bill Sawdry, 43, said: "It was a brilliant evening. We had a jazz band playing and a free buffet, it was a brilliant atmosphere.

"Harry stayed for quite a while, he didn't leave until 10.30pm, he's got quite a lot of stamina for someone his age. He even had a couple of halves of 6X.

"Everybody was very humbled by his presence. He's a really nice gentle old man."

Mr Patch sat by the fire and signed copies of his autobiography, The Last Fighting Tommy, which was released this year, in exchange for donations being put in the Poppy Appeal box.

He had popped into the pub with his carer for lunch some weeks before and Mr Sawdry's partner Carol Doble, 53, had asked about the medals he was wearing.

Mr Patch has five medals, one of which is France's highest military award, the Legion d'honneur.

Mr Sawdry said: "Carol asked if he wanted to come to our opening evening on November 29.

"He said I'll have a look in my diary darling and see'.

"He was quite impressed because we are going to do 10 per cent discounts for ex-servicemen and their families.

"I've just been reading the papers about how badly they have been treated.

"We don't see what's really going on out there."