A pub landlord has taken drastic action to ensure his customers can enjoy a quiet pint without being disturbed by the ringing of mobile phones - he nails them to the bar.

So far eight phones have been nailed to the 'wall of shame' at The Rising Sun pub and a hammer and nails is on hand, ready for the next victim.

But rather than putting customers off entering the country pub, landlord Tony Taylor-Mason says it has increased his trade.

The 44-year-old, who has run the pub in High Street, Upper Beeding, with his wife Sue for the past four-and-a-half-years, said: "You don't want mobile phones going off if you come in for a quiet drink.

"Nailing them to the bar is an added deterrent and we have got seven or eight nailed up now."

He said at first people were shocked at the dramatic measure but it quickly had the desired effect.

He said: "People quickly switch them off when they realise.

"The regulars think it's brilliant too. They boo and hiss if anyone's mobile goes off.

"It has definitely worked and I think we have had more people come in because they know they can come in here for a quiet drink."

Mr Taylor-Mason got the idea from the landlords of another West Sussex pub, the Gribble Inn at Oving.

He said: "We started nailing the phones up in May and we are going to keep going."

Pub regular Richard Taylor said: "It's a great idea. It's good to see a traditional village pub that isn't being ruined by the constant irritation of people's stupid mobile phone rings.

"Its nice to be able to enjoy a pint in peace and quiet, especially as there are so may annoying ring tones now.

"One or two people who come in with expensive-looking phones have seemed a bit shocked but they soon get the message and it's great to get some peace, especially as I hear phones ringing at work all day."

Sales of mobile phones have boomed in recent years and pubs are not the only places to get sick of the sound of ring tones. Train companies have created phone-free carriages.