THE widow of a larger than life landlord, who owned Britain’s best pub, has spoken of his passion for everything from wildlife and sport to a good pint of real ale.

Eric George Sainty, known to many as Old Ric, died age 74 after suffering a major heart attack in France last Wednesday.

His sudden death came as a shock to his wife Ellie Sainty and to the hundreds of his friends, many of whom were regulars at his pub, which was crowned best pub in Britain by the Campaign For Real Ales (CAMRA).

"Ric was just a great bloke, who loved people and socialising and I think he will be sorely missed," said Ellie, who was married to Ric for 21 years after meeting him in Wales where he ran her local pub.

"He was caring and loyal and he was so, so funny."

Steve Herbert, who now runs the Old Spot with his wife Belinda, described Ric as "an absolute legend."

Steve, who has known Ric for 17 years, said: "He was an absolutely amazing fella. He will be missed by all the staff and customers at the Old Spot."

Ric was born in Cambridge and worked for many years for his local council as a draftsman.

Eventually he decided to pursue his passion for pubs and real ale.

In 1993 he and Ellie bought a run down pub in Dursley called The Fox and Hounds, which was barely making enough money to stay open.

They refurbished it and reopened its doors as the Old Spot.

"We never looked back after that," said Ellie. "It really just mushroomed and before we knew it the place was packed each night.

"Ric liked to share a beer with people, he didn’t like to be behind the bar. He had a passion for real ales, he hated lager because it has no character and no taste of where it came from.

"But Ric was more than just a drinker, he had so many other interests."

Ric, a father-of-six with 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, enjoyed all sorts of things from classical music and wildlife to motor racing and bee-keeping.

"He was an accomplished sportsman, he played squash at a very high level and he was also a highly trained scuba diver and dived all over the world," said Ellie.

"He loved nature, what Ric couldn’t tell you about the flora and fauna wasn’t worth knowing.

"Ric was my dearest friend, there is just nobody like him, and I will remember him very, very fondly."

A funeral service for Ric will be held a St James’ Church, Dursley, on Wednesday July 30 (12pm) with a wake to be held at the Old Spot in the afternoon. People attending the funeral are asked not to wear black.