As Britain waits for the pubs to open again, one old man has taken to sitting patiently at the bar.

Mr Bernie Sanders, 79, has been waiting to get served in the Greyhound pub in Ipswich since it closed at Christmas owing to lockdown restrictions.

The pensioner is a big fan of the pub, which just happens to be the official corporate headquarters of the Suffolk Gazette.

Bernie, of Vermont Close in Ipswich, is prepared to stick with his vigil for as long as it takes.

Wearing a smart brown-but-oversized parka jacket and some pretty, hand-knitted mittens, he said: “I just want a pint, for Christ’s sake.”

Pub landlord Dan Lightfoot explained: “Normally we have lightning-quick service but Mr Sanders might have to wait a month or two longer for his beer.”

Pub regular Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Bernie is a sweet old man. A bit eccentric, perhaps – he seems to think he should be President of the United States.

“But he has great stories to tell about the old days when Ipswich Town used to win football matches.”

Bernie misses his poker games with his mates but is hoping the WSOP schedule for Las Vegas is released soon, as he plans to play in the seniors event.

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