David Williams, 50, is refusing to budge from the Highwood.

He has been holed up in the taproom with his pet Staffordshire bull terrier Ruby since March 31 in a row over £8,000 he claims he is owed by pub chainbosses.

The pub, on Brackenwood Drive, has been closed since Mr Williams took advantage of squatters' rights.

Mr Williams had planned to leave the pub trade after eight years and travel the world. But he has had to cancel a trip to Canada because of the stand-off with Punch Taverns.

Instead, Mr Williams and Ruby spend their days in front of the pub's giant TV screens or listening to the jukebox.

Mr Williams, now on £60 a week benefits, has set up a bed on the pub floor and cooks meals in the pub kitchen.

He said he is determined to stay for as long as it takes to get what he is owed.

He told the YEP: "I am making a stand for the little man against these huge companies.

"They will have to go to court for an eviction order. I would love my day in court to tell a judge how I have been treated.

"It's becoming impossible for people to make a decent living out of running a pub. I sold my house to invest money in this business and now I am homeless because of it."

Mr Williams said he spent about £20,000 on fittings and equipment for the pub and claims Punch gave him a verbal agreement he would get £8,000 before he left.

When the money was not handed over he kept hold of the keys – and has kept them ever since.

He added: "In the meantime there are unhappy regulars with nowhere to drink. I am getting a lot of support from people locally and they are encouraging me to stick to my guns

"Until I get my £8,000 I'm not moving."

A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: "The issue is being dealt with by our solicitors.

"My understanding is that we have made an offer to the gentleman and we are trying to resolve the issue as soon as we can as it's in all our best interests.
"We want to get The Highwood back open and serving the community."

Punch Taverns of Burton on Trent owns 8,500 pubs across the country.