A FORMER high school teacher is set to win six barrels of ale after trekking across East Anglia and raising a glass in 466 pubs.

Peter Bradley has spent �3,000 completing his 5,000-mile ale trail, and on average he necked eight pints a day in the course of 60 drinking days within a 12-week period.

Woodforde’s Brewery, based in Woodbastwick, Norfolk, have held their Ale Trails in 2002, 2005, 2009 and 2011 and Mr Bradley has taken part and completed the trail each year.

However, health bosses today issued a warning over the impact of excess drinking and reminded men that they should not drink more than 3-4 units a day on a regular basis.

Ale-loving Mr Bradley, 56, who worked at Westbourne High School for more than 20 years, spent hours mapping out his route, researching pub opening hours and working out which pubs he could access by public transport and which required the help of a friend to drive him around the sites.

“I think the main reason I complete the trail is because I enjoy seeing the different sights of East Anglia,” he said.

“When I started I never thought I would be able to get around all 466 pubs and have a pint in each. But as I got into it I became a little determined.

“I would always ensure I had a proper dinner and I came back to my house in Ipswich each night. I wouldn’t say that I am a heavy drinker and I’m looking forward to having a bit of a break from drinking now.

“I am elated to have achieved this, though. I’m very pleased.”

The journey saw him venture aboard 31 trains, use 27 taxis, and complete 33 days of bus travel.

He told The Evening Star that he called on friends for a lift 21 times and also took a ride on a ferry.

The former history teacher, who lives on the Chantry estate, covered more than 5,000 miles, which saw him venture to north Norfolk 15 times and Norwich city centre on seven occasions.

His travels saw him complete five visits to the Norfolk Broads, four trips to Great Yarmouth and six journeys to Cambridgeshire.

While his furthest trip was to Peterborough, he travelled around his home county of Suffolk 12 times.

Sharon Chatten, of Woodforde’s Brewery, said: “As a company we fully support responsible drinking.

“Our ale trails encourage people to support their local pubs and is not intended to be completed in its entirety – it’s a regional handbook suggesting good pubs to visit, which works well for holidaymakers, residents and visitors to East Anglia.

“Drinking excessively is not something we encourage and our trail followers independently choose at what level they participate.”

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