A PENSIONER is outraged after being charged 50 pence for a glass of tap water at a Runcorn pub.

Everton fan Tom Whitfield, 69, went into the Castle Hotel in Halton Village to watch his team play Manchester City.

“I was shocked and astounded when the manageress charged me 50p,” said Tom, from Murdishaw, who drove to the pub to spend an evening with his friends.

“I’m a regular. This is my local. I’ve been going there twice a week for 12 years.

“I go into this pub to watch the game with my friends.”

Mr Whitfield said he argued his case for around 10 minutes but to no avail.

“It is madness to me.

“I’ve drunk tap water all over the country and never been charged.

“I’m disgusted.

“It really upset me. I couldn’t watch the match, I was so stunned.”

Mr Whitfield eventually bought half a lager but has vowed to boycott the hilltop pub in future.

“I don’t think I’ll be going in there again.”

Manageress Karen Farrell said she was fed up providing Mr Whitfield with free tap water.

“He uses my premises, my toilet, my heating and watches TV for free.

“I felt sorry for him but it’s not fair on other customers.

“He is very lucky that he has got away with it for that long.”

The charge, she said, was not for the tap water but for the use of the the glass.

Mrs Farrell, who has managed the pub for eight years, added: “At the end of the day we all pay for our water.

“The other night was the final straw.

“I had already asked three young people who never bought a drink to leave.

“I’m really annoyed that he had the cheek to complain.

“He’s not a regular. A regular is someone who drinks in my pub every day.”

“I hope he never darkens my doorstep again.”