But Dean Harrison, new landlord at the Wilton Arms and Bridge Inn, on Bradford Road, says despite turning his hair grey, it was worth the effort.

He said: "I think the way we did it made it work. If we'd not done it that way someone else would have got the pub. But now we are there working with our friends."

Dean married his childhood sweetheart, Samantha, at Alder House Hotel, followed by a reception at the hotel and evening do at Batley Town Hall.

Two days later, the day they flew out for their honeymoon in Jersey, the pub was signed over to them.

Dean said: "We had to be down at the pub for 10am to get the keys. We met the area manager, signed the contracts, handed over the money and put in an express order for the beer. Then we had to be at Manchester Airport for 3pm."

Dean met Samantha when he was 15, but at 21 they went their separate ways and met new partners.

Since getting married their lives have been hectic, with both keeping their day jobs, Dean as a driver at Stephenson's Transport Ltd, in Batley, and Samantha as a child minder, and working at the pub at evenings and weekends.

They have three children between them, Luke, 18, Joe, 13, and Tom, 11.

Dean said: "It's typical, since we've had the pub I've never been so busy with my day job as I am now. I used to go out two or three times a week, but now I'm out every day.

"We just get on with it. My wife's spot on with the organising. Everything's gone to plan so far."

The pub is open every day from noon. There's a quiz night with free supper on Saturdays and a free sandwich with a pint of beer, 4pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday.