ONE of Taunton's longest serving pub landlords plans to step down later this year.

Tim Prosser and his partner are calling time after 25 years behind the bar at the Princess Royal, in Canon Street.

The couple expect last orders to come around in November.

Tim, aged 70, said: "Twenty-five years is a long time and it's time the pub had a fresh face, as well as us having a break.

"We've had good times here and it's doing well and will carry on as a pub."

Tim previously spent 27 years in the Army and said he's still got time for "a third career".

"I might do a bit of part time work," he added.

"We've got mixed feelings about leaving. Over the years we've created a lot of friends and achieved a lot of goals. There are more goals on the horizon.

"It's sad that when we came here, there were maybe 40 pubs in Taunton. Now it's nearer ten."

Tim said owners Punch Taverns had assured him the Princess Royal will continue as a community pub.