PUBGOERS at The Lantokay in Street were surprised to see JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin drop by to speak to staff members and customers.

Mark Cooper contacted the County Gazette after spotting Mr Martin in the pub at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, December 13.

Mark said: “He was really friendly. He had a walk round the pub. Next, I saw him speak to some customers and on his way out, he said hello.

“So, I had a chat with him, and he said he tries to visit all of his pubs. He thanked me for being a customer, and I asked him for a photo.”

Somerset County Gazette: The Lantokay pub in Street.The Lantokay pub in Street. (Image: Google Street View)

Mr Martin, the company chairman, was on a visit to the south west when he went to The Lantokay, located at 111-113 High Street.

A Wetherspoon spokesperson said: “Tim visits Wetherspoon pubs three times a week, visiting up to 20 pubs a week. He has been doing this for decades.

“It is his way of interacting with staff and customers and seeing the pubs first-hand.

“He is always happy to chat with customers. The visit to The Lantokay was part of his visit to the region.”

The Lantokay, which is named after Street's origins as an ancient settlement, opened as a Wetherspoon pub in January 2002. It was refurbished in April 2017.