IT may be small in size but for what The Eclipse Inn lacks in square feet it makes up for with an abundance of character and charm.

Nestled in the heart of Winchester in The Square, the pub is one of the city’s unique watering holes - but also one of the smallest.

Punters are greeted with a friendly smile by Sarah Kingston who has just celebrated her 21st anniversary of being landlady.

Inside the sound of friendly conversation from regulars and newcomers to the pub echoes around the old walls of building. This is something which Miss Kingston,50, from Fulflood is proud of.

She says for many people the pub is a huge part of their social life and the watering hole prides itself on being a “proper pub”.

On the outside, its black and white frontage and Tudor look sets it apart in The Square, and inside it retains that historic feel with original oak beams and small paned windows.

There are usually just as many punters outside the pub, sat on chairs watching life go past in in the city as there are indoors in the pub.

Miss Kingston said: “There is such a strong community feel in this pub, we know the customers by their first name and we know what they like to drink, we are part of their life and for many elderly people that come in here it is very much a social thing and more about the social aspect, not the drinking.”

Sarah took the pub on with a business partner after having fond memories when she drank in the pub as a student.

Since then the pub has gone from strength to strength.

The Eclipse Inn has four real ales to choose from including Doom Bar, Landlord by Timothy Taylor and two guest ales which are changed regularly. Currently they are Lazarus, and Tomcat which is the ale from local brewery Redcat.

The cheapest pint is Doom Bar which costs £4.20 and the pub also has a lunchtime food menu from 12noon to 2.30pm which features home-cooked pub classics like Sunday roasts and homemade pies.