Regulars at one of Britain's most famous soap pubs are saying farewell to a man who has spent decades behind the bar at the real-life Woolpack.

Paul Harris started working at The Woolpack in Esholt aged just 18, a couple of years before Yorkshire TV began filming Emmerdale - then known as Emmerdale Farm - in the village.

Over the years the man dubbed Mr Woolpack has even had his car and pet Weimeraner dog Joop feature in the popular soap.

He was still at the pub in 1997 when the TV crews moved outside filming to a purpose-built set, complete with a mock-up Woolpack exterior, at Harewood, near Leeds.

But 27 years after starting at the pub Mr Harris, 44, of Baildon, is leaving to become bar manager at The Fox in Menston.

He was set to pull his final pint in the Woolpack today following a farewell party.

Mr Harris, who lived in the Woolpack for 20 years, said he was leaving with fond memories of the pub, village and its association with Emmerdale.

The pub's longest-serving member of staff said: "I've really enjoyed it and it will be a bit of a wrench to leave the Woolpack but I just wanted a bit of a change.

"We've had a good mix between the regular customers, the tourists and, when they were filming here, the cast and crew.

"The cast used to come in regularly and Stan Richards, who plays Seth, used to come back and play the piano for us.

"People often say it must have been fabulous to working in a place like the Woolpack with all those stars around but when they're filming all the time you just get used to it and realise they're ordinary people like everyone else.''

Woolpack landlord Brian Pickard said: "Paul's brilliant - he's just become part and parcel of the place and if you wanted to find a Mr Woolpack, then it's him.''

A Yorkshire TV spokesman said: "Paul always looked after the crew and cast of Emmerdale very well during our time in the area - he was always a pleasure to be around and we're sure he will be missed.''