Grandfather George Harris knows a good pair of socks when he sees one - and to prove it he has just completed a trip from Wales to Worthing to buy some.

The pensioner is so keen on the Indestructible brand socks made by H and J Hall he thought nothing of making the 700-mile round trip to bag four new pairs.

George said: "These will see me through to the end of my life.

"The last pair I bought have lasted five years and I am still wearing them."

George, 87, from Swansea, went to the Jollimans shop in Brighton Road, Worthing, to spend £11 on the footwear.

The brand is sold in Wales but the stores do not cater for a man with feet the size of George's - they only go up to a size 11, while George is a 12.

Jollimans assistant manager Bob Britnell was amazed at the pensioner's sock pilgrimage.

He said: "We do most of our business through mail order and I can't remember having a customer pay us a visit in person from so far away.

"But the socks are good and many people swear by them."

George's keenness for the right sock stems from his Army days.

He spent 22 years in uniform and it was part of his duty to see the men's feet were always up to the job.

George said: "Old Army kit is just not as good as it is today.

"I served for 11 years in seven different countries and I had the same socks and boots whether I was in Iceland or Egypt.

"We did a lot of route marching in those days and looking after your feet was a number one priority."

George has sworn by his Indestructible footwear since he first read about them in a Sunday newspaper.

His wife of 57 years, Mary, 83, did not mind tagging along on the great sock hunt.

She said: "Once he gets an idea in his head there's no stopping him.

"At least I won't have to darn these new ones."