A city centre pub has attracted an unlikely regular.

Walter the pigeon waits patiently outside the Sir Charles Napier pub, plucking his feathers and tapping his small grey feet on the pavement.

When the doors open at 4.30pm, Walter hops in, greets the other regulars and settles down for a quiet drink at his usual table.

Or perhaps under his usual table would be more accurate.

Nothing is too good for the racing pigeon, who pops into the pub in Southover Street, Brighton, every day.

The hostelry does not normally allow animals but Walter has found a soft spot in their hearts.

Comfortably perched underneath the table, the chirpy grey and white racing pigeon feasts on water and crushed peanuts before taking flight, leaving the landlord and other regulars bemused.

Customers have been cooing over him since he flew into the pub last Friday afternoon.

Since then, landlord Jeremy Martin has welcomed the friendly pigeon back into the pub every afternoon.

He said: "It blows me down. We saw him sitting on a roof at first. Then he walked across the road and stood in the doorway for a bit. Eventually he hopped in and went to a table.

"He has been coming back at the same time every day. He's becoming quite a regular.

"We call him Walter because he's obviously thirsty. We have tried him on the beer but he seems to prefer water.

"We gave him HSB, a Gales bitter, but he didn't seem to like it. I think it's probably too strong for him."

Mr Martin, 35, added: "You can tell he's a racing pigeon because he's a very slim bird. He doesn't look like others."

From his colouring, Walter is believed to be a red checker. A green, blue and ginger tuft on his breast distinguishes him from pigeons of a lesser calibre.

Mr Martin has several theories to explain Walter's loyal custom. He said: "He may be coming back because people are feeding him. Or perhaps he's out on a race and just stops in to top up before finishing."

But Mr Martin is worried Walter's owners may be missing him.

He said he had not managed to get close enough to the bird to read the rings on his feet and find out his real name or details of his rightful owners.

If you recognise Walter's cheeky behaviour and think he might be yours, phone the pub on 01273 601413.