A drinker who barely slept as he eagerly awaited his first sip of booze in a pub after three months of lockdown beat the crowds by waking at 5.15am.
Martin Sherrell wanted to make the most of ‘Super Saturday’ and had an early night in preparation of bars reopening in England on July 4.
The 63-year-old set his alarm for 6am but woke up 45 minutes before it meaning he was one of the first customers through the doors of a Wetherspoons pub.
The carer, who was joined by two pals, joked that had it not been raining, he’d have camped outside The Berkeley in Bristol.
After arriving at 8am, Martin wolfed down a breakfast before ordering his first alcoholic beverage - a bottle of Magners - just one hour later.
He said: “I had an early night last night in preparation. I set the alarm for 6am - but I was up at 5:15am.
"I've barely slept since I heard the Prime Minister's announcement that pubs could open.
"I was joking that I would have camped outside if it wasn't raining.
"Me and my mates usually meet a couple of times a week, but we haven't been to a Wetherspoons since March. We've been drinking there for years.”
He added: "There was just the three of us and three workers when it opened. I think they're expecting more later.
"I'm being sensible about it though. We all are. I'm a full-time carer for my mum. I've got a mask with me.
"I've had a nice bottle of Magners cider - I do like them. I'll have a couple more."
