A LANDLORD who was told by doctors he would die if he carried on drinking is taking his trade in a new, alcohol free direction as he continues his recovery.

Clive Harvison, who has run the Kings Head in Little Marlow since 2007, was rushed to hospital in October last year after an internal haemorrhage caused by alcohol.

And after doctors feared the worst when he lay in intensive care, the 56-year-old grandfather was given a stern warning over his habit and has been dry for nearly a year.

He said: "I have drunk for many years, it’s not something that just happened. But after I had the pub one thing led to another and I ended up drinking more.

"It’s not nice when you’re trying to carry a cup of coffee to someone and half of it end up in your lap because you’ve got the shakes, then you know you have a problem. And there’s the sweating, the forgetting.

"The consultant drew me a picture of a cliff and said ‘that is your liver’, and that I was so close to the edge that it would only take a few more steps and once you go over there’s no coming back.

"In October 2013 I was rushed to Wexham Park Hospital. My wife was informed that there was a distinct possibility I wouldn’t make it and to contact relatives.

"Thankfully I am ok now, and have had great support from my family. I have grandchildren now and I want to see them grow up. My customers have been extremely supportive as well."

Clive said despite his job exposing him to temptations behind the bar, he will not feel forced to give up the trade he enjoys.

Since he stopped drinking, Clive said he gets annoyed at the lack of non-alcoholic drink options in pubs and restaurants, and criticised them for raising the price of soft drinks.

He said he now chooses to drink alcohol-free wines, beers and ciders and thinks drinkers should be able to choose from a full range of options wherever they go.

So the enterprising landlord searched high and low for suppliers of top quality non-alcoholic varieties, to which he devotes a page of his pub menu to offer drinkers something different to their usual tipple.

He said. "I like to go out to eat, and I begrudge paying over £20 for a very nice dish and having to drink lemonade with it, that’s an insult.

"It’s not just for people on health grounds, but because of drink driving. Somebody has to drive, especially with Christmas coming up.

"There’s nothing worse for someone who drinks to stop completely. I admire people that can, but for me it’s psychological.

"I never judge anyone on their drinking habits, that’s up to them. For me it’s coming up for a year now, but you can still have a laugh without alcohol."