A LANDLORD who has run pubs in Burnley for the last 35 years has called time on his career.

Brian Parker, 55, had a leaving bash at his latest pub, the Commercial, in Harle Syke, over the weekend.

Mr Parker has previously run a number of pubs in the town, including Park View, Mullards, Lucas’s, Craven Heifer and Ighten Leigh Social Club.

But he has spent the last 11 years at the Commercial, in Briercliffe Road, with his wife Jane.

He said: “It’s the longest I’ve ever spent at one pub. It’s a fantastic place and I’ve made some brilliant friends in my time there, which I’ll never forget.

“I’ve spent 35 years in the pub trade in Burnley though, I think I was probably Burnley’s longest-serving landlord, and I just felt the time was right to leave pubs and spend more time with the family.

“It was a fantastic leaving do, with plenty of good friends there.”

In 2011, keen fundraiser Mr Parker ran 12 marathons in 12 days across the UK.

And last year he travelled to China to take part in the Great Wall Marathon.

He said: “We were working out over the weekend that I’ve raised £55,000 for Pendleside Hospice over the years.

“This year I’m aiming to do Mount Everest and raise even more money for what is a fantastic local charity.”