It's called the best-kept secret in Shirley and there is no shortage of regulars lining up to sing its praises.

The Park Inn on Carlisle Road is a traditional pub that makes no apologies for the absence of pub food, pool table or jukebox.

Pub landlord Steve Beaney prides himself on his choice of real ales and the fact that people can come in and have a chat without being drowned out by background music.

Steve, who has run the pub with wife Julie for two years, said: "It's called the best kept secret in Shirley because it's 200 yards off the high street and a lot of local people don't even know we are here.

"It has a welcoming family atmosphere because everyone knows each other. If a stranger walked in through the door they are made welcome straight away and asked to join in a game of darts. It's all part and parcel of the atmosphere here.

"The advantage of its location is that there is no trouble here."

Steve is keen to point out the pub calls time at midnight seven days a week regardless of how many people are still drinking.

Steve added: "It's one of the oldest traditional pubs left in the area. It's the opposite of most pubs.

"They have a pool table, juke box and pub food but we have real ale and a dart board. Most pubs are going in the direction of becoming a sports bar but that's exactly why people still come here."

The Park Inn is one of six finalists in the south of England hoping to win the Wadsworth Perfect Pint real ale competition in the new year.

"The perfect pint competition is something we are really proud of as it takes into account how clean our glasses are and how good our real ale is.

"We also consider our quiz night to be the best around and we have a full house every Sunday night."

The building has been here since 1860 and is believed to have been converted into a pub during the First World War.

Two football teams are based at the pub, including a veteran's team, which are both affectionately named after Steve and are called the Beaney Park Inn Football Team.

Ex-Saints secretary Brian Truscott helped manage the football team for three years during the 1970s and the pub can count ex saints player and assistant manager Stuart Williams as one of its regulars.

The Park Inn, 37 Carlisle Road, Shirley, Southampton. Tel: 023 8078 7835.