I’ll try and get the name right, but it’s tricky to know whether this is the Long Man of the Longman.

Either way I don’t think it’s to do with the length of a particular man, but more to do with the name of a nearby hill.

Anyway, having entered said Long Man the first thing I noticed was a good ratio of bar staff to punters – four behind the bar is usually a luxury saved for a Saturday night.

The guy serving me was very pleasant and upbeat. I might have gone for real ale but it was a warm evening and they have my current lager of choice on tap so Estrella it was. This set me back a reasonable enough £4.80 and was fresh and tasty enough to persuade me to stick to it.

By now I’d been joined by Marley who had escaped round a pair of bar stools positioned in the corner to block him from the rest of the bar.

Calling upon all my doggie knowledge I’d say he was a Ridgeback. He was certainly a game devil and enjoyed giving his owner the run-around by escaping his makeshift jail on a regular basis.

Despite the big friendly dog’s attentions I decided to have a game of pool. It, like Marley, was an absolute monster. I really do need to brush up on my potting skills.

But, there must be some darned good pool players around somewhere as there are trophies galore in cabinets.

In fact, everything in the Long Man is well proportioned – even several fish in tank look big enough to eat. Although, judging by the wonderful aroma exuding from the kitchen the Thai food is definitely a winner here.

This is a very welcoming, traditional pub with all that’s best about such gems. When you walk through the main entrance you have a choice to turn left or right – it’s generally left for games and right for food.

To the right there are several animal heads on the wall, which some people might not like, although I loved them. The stag definitely looked real, but I’m not so sure about the small lion-looking beast. I’m not sure why, but there are lions everywhere.

At this point I became aware of the music playing in the background – Mr Brightside was followed by Scouting for Girls. I loved this place.

The locals, mainly dressed for the weather in shorts, were a delightful, welcoming bunch who seemed a really pleasant, mixed bag.

Everywhere you look it’s the very best retro on offer.

However, nothing in this pub is stuck in the past and the owner is obviously keen to move with the times to take full advantage of all opportunities – a quiz every Tuesday at 8pm, several fruities and quiz machine, a Longman library of books and events galore.

I’d already missed Mark Wright’s 80s night on June 3 but July 1’s revival night sounds a real must.

Other items of note are a framed Seagulls shirt, a stuffed bird outside its cage and a great retro seated arcade game and screens in each bar.

The locals all shook hands with each other when they came in or left – which is always a good sign in a pub.

The garden is astro-turfed and dog friendly.

For some reason it’s got a glass turret. I’ve no idea why, but it makes an already interesting looking building even more fascinating.

In conclusion this is a great local pub with lively, exciting events. The food is good and the locals friendly.

If I go back I’ll be ordering a Bangkok Bad Boy (number 20) from the friendly Scottish redhead behind the bar.

More adventurous punters might even stretch to the

Blood of Dracula at 47 on the menu.

Enjoy.

LONG MAN OF WILMINGTON, WILMINGTON WAY, BRIGHTON

Decor: ★★★★☆

Quirky, but I’m a fan of lions and stuffed heads.

Drink: ★★★☆☆

Plenty of variety, a number of my favourites.

Price: ★★★☆☆

£4.80 for Estrella is about right in this neck of the woods.

Atmosphere: ★★★★☆

Down to earth, good natured folk.

Staff: ★★★★☆

Awash with friendly bods, a busy bar.

Food: ★★★☆☆

The Thai smelt absolutely great and seemed popular.