IT'S the Southampton pub for sports lovers of all kinds.

The Sporting View is not only in the perfect location for athletes using the pitches, but for those who love to watch a good match too.

Located at the entrance to Southampton's sports centre, it's got a great view of all the pitches.

But it also has Sky Sports and BT, meaning that matches are shown on the two screens with plenty of room for groups to gather round and watch.

But since taking the pub over joint managers Lou Godwin and Mark Fisher have made an effort to cater for all the family.

A milkshake machine, an array of cupcakes and cookies and a full size coffee machine adds a coffee shop feel to the usual beers and ales - and punters and staff alike say a main feature of the pub is it's family feel.

Mark Fisher said: "We're definitely very family orientated. When we took the place over we decided that's what we wanted to focus on. And my father in law Brett Rumbold is the landlord. We're an independent pub so we're free of anything but we have had one ale brewed especially for us by the Hopback Brewery in Salisbury.

"It's called the View Bar Copper Ale, we've had it for around six months and it will probably be permanent now as it's popular."

With prices starting from £3 for a pint of Carling, other lagers on offer are Coors, Grolsch, Pravha and there are three ciders on tap including Stowford, Orchard, and unusually, Rekorderling fruit cider.

There's also an innovative Guinness pump - a can of the dark stuff is poured into a glass then gases are activated with the pump.

There's a selection of rose, red and white wines - most of which is from the Barefoot brand.

The pub also has a wide range of food on offer, from light bites and starters including four vegetarian options.

Salads are £7.95 and the doorstep sandwiches are huge and cost £5.95.

Pasta is £7.95 and the ever-popular and very generous portion of cheesy chips starts at £3.50.

There's a range of pub classic at £7.95 which include chicken and leek pie, Wiltshire ham egg and chips of homemade cottage pie with fresh veg and "tasty thick gravy."

Four fish dishes are available for the same price, and include salmon and broccoli fish cakes, creamy fish pie, salmon fillet or Whitby scampi.